The government has announced plans to hold a public forum later this month to gather feedback on the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning maritime claims in the Gulf of Thailand. This MoU remains a contentious issue in Thailand-Cambodia relations due to ongoing territorial disputes over the overlapping claims area (OCA).
Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa revealed the development during a House session on Thursday while responding to Piyarat Chongthep, a People’s Party MP for Bangkok. The forum will be co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and several House standing committees.
The forum’s announcement follows calls by former yellow-shirt protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul for public input on the controversial MoU. Sondhi has criticized the agreement, arguing that the OCA benefits Cambodia disproportionately. Critics have also expressed concerns over potential losses to Thailand’s sovereignty.
Signed in 2001 during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, the MoU aimed to foster negotiations on jointly utilizing natural resources in the disputed 26,000-square-kilometer area, which is believed to be rich in fossil energy. However, no significant progress has been made, and the committee to manage the agreement has not yet been formed, according to Maris.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra previously rejected calls for a public forum, instead promising to consider all perspectives before making further decisions on the MoU. Activists, led by Sondhi, have continued to press for the agreement’s termination and have threatened intensified protests if the government fails to act.
During the House session, Piyarat asked how the government plans to safeguard Thailand’s sovereignty while negotiating potential joint resource development in the disputed area.
