Thailand Terminates Joint Offshore Exploration Agreement with Cambodia

Thailand has cancelled a 25-year-old agreement for joint offshore energy exploration with Cambodia, a move aligned with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's election promises. Cambodia expressed disappointment and plans to address the matter under international maritime law. Despite multiple attempts, the agreement saw little progress due to political instability.

Thailand has unilaterally terminated an agreement with Cambodia on joint offshore energy exploration—a pact that stood for 25 years. The Thai cabinet's decision comes amid Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's nationalistic campaign promises, focusing on self-reliance despite recent border conflicts.

Cambodia's Foreign Minister, Prak Sokhonn, expressed regret over the cancellation, emphasizing Cambodia's move to settle the boundary issue via international law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea will be the new platform for resolving the matter, signaling a diplomatic path forward.

Though the agreement was originally meant to create a framework for shared resource exploration, it stagnated due to regional disputes and political challenges. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated the move sets the stage for renewed negotiations based on a shared international framework.