Cambodia-Thailand sea dispute goes to mediators

Cambodia and Thailand are set to present their positions to international mediators in Singapore this week in a dispute over overlapping maritime claims in the Gulf of Thailand.

Phnom Penh initiated a UN-backed conciliation process at the Permanent Court of Arbitration after Bangkok withdrew from a 2001 memorandum of understanding on working toward joint offshore energy exploitation.

The agreement, known as MoU 44, covers about 27,000 square kilometres of resource-rich waters claimed by both countries. Thailand withdrew from the framework in May, saying no progress had been made in implementing it.

Representatives of the two countries are due to give opening statements on Tuesday before a five-member conciliation panel of international law experts at the arbitration court's Singapore office. Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn is expected to speak first, followed by Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

Cambodia said last week it turned to conciliation after Thailand ended the bilateral framework through which the two countries had negotiated their maritime claims for more than two decades. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in June that the move was also intended to protect Cambodia's sovereignty and maritime rights under international law.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul denied the withdrawal was linked to a simmering border conflict. That conflict erupted into two rounds of clashes last year that left dozens of people dead and displaced more than a million before a truce was agreed.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration, founded in 1899, handles disputes between countries and private parties under contracts, agreements and treaties, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Its conciliation commission's recommendations are not binding and are expected to take about a year.

Cambodia's foreign ministry said the meeting was an important step in a peaceful process and said Phnom Penh hoped it could help reach a fair and lasting resolution and open a path to explore oil and gas resources. Thailand's foreign ministry said it was ready to cooperate with the commission while safeguarding national interests.

Thailand's energy ministry has estimated future revenues from oil and natural gas in the overlapping claims area at around $300 billion.