Thailand has formally submitted its response to Cambodia’s 2 June notification to enter compulsory conciliation proceedings over their maritime boundary dispute under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), reaffirming its preference for maritime delimitation over joint development.

Thailand has formally appointed two former presidents of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea as its conciliators for its maritime dispute proceedings with Cambodia. The move marks the latest step in a compulsory conciliation process that emerged after Thailand moved to terminate the maritime MoU that had long served as the framework for bilateral negotiations. Prachatai brings together the key facts on how Thailand's push to scrap the maritime MoU with Cambodia led the two countries to compulsory conciliation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Thailand has resolved to unilaterally cancel the 2001 maritime MoU with Cambodia, moving forward with international mechanisms to address the maritime disputes. Cambodia swiftly responded, reaffirming its commitment to pursue “compulsory conciliation” under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

As Cambodia repeatedly presses for border talks, its renewed push to convene the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) has exposed growing unease within Thailand, which insists that internal processes are prerequisites.

A new wave of armed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia has escalated, casting doubt over the status of the peace agreement signed just two months ago. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that Thailand will no longer enter into negotiations unless Cambodia complies with the conditions set by Thailand.

Since taking office, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has adopted a hardline stance against Cambodia, culminating in the move to suspend the two-week old peace agreement over the latest landmine casualties. What is behind this move? And most importantly, how much influence does a powerful domestic driver like the military have in shaping the government’s decision?

The Thai Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for a former Thai marine suspected of shooting and killing Lim Kimya, a former Cambodian opposition MP, in Bangkok yesterday.