Thailand has unilaterally terminated a 25-year-old agreement with Cambodia aimed at jointly exploring offshore energy resources, in a move that signals a shift in its approach to long-standing maritime disputes.
The decision, approved by the Thai cabinet on Tuesday, brings an end to the memorandum of understanding known as “MOU 44”, which sought to establish a framework for joint exploration of oil and gas in overlapping areas of the Gulf of Thailand. The agreement had seen little progress since its signing due to political instability and recurring tensions between the two neighbours.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the move was part of his administration’s policy agenda and not directly linked to recent border conflicts. He noted that the pact had failed to deliver results over more than two decades.
Cambodia expressed regret over the termination, with Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn stating that Phnom Penh would pursue resolution through international mechanisms under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Despite the cancellation, Thai officials indicated that negotiations would continue, with UNCLOS serving as a reference point for future discussions on maritime boundary demarcation. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the decision was intended to create a clearer framework for renewed talks rather than to abandon negotiations altogether.
The agreement had proposed a dual-track approach, combining joint resource exploration with parallel negotiations on maritime boundaries. However, progress was repeatedly stalled by domestic political challenges in Thailand, bilateral disputes, and opposition from nationalist groups.
Tensions between the two countries escalated last year, with two rounds of armed clashes along their 817-kilometre border resulting in nearly 150 deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. A ceasefire has been in place since late December.
