Cambodia starts UN-backed maritime dispute process with Thailand

Cambodia has initiated a compulsory conciliation process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to resolve a long-standing maritime boundary dispute with Thailand in the Gulf of Thailand. This move follows Thailand's unilateral termination of a 2001 agreement that provided a framework for negotiations over the disputed area, which is estimated to hold $300 billion in Natural gas and Petroleum. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated the action aims to protect Cambodia's sovereignty and maritime rights. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's decision to revoke the agreement was a campaign pledge. The conciliation process, overseen by the United Nations, involves a panel of independent experts making non-binding recommendations. Thailand has historically preferred bilateral negotiations over international mechanisms for dispute resolution. The dispute has also seen military clashes along their shared land border, with a ceasefire in place since December.