Anutin urges Cambodian ties, UN reform in UNGA address

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has expressed regret over Cambodia’s decision to initiate conciliation proceedings under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), urging Phnom Penh to engage in genuine bilateral cooperation to resolve border issues and combat transnational crime.

Delivering Thailand's national statement at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Anutin acknowledged that Thailand and Cambodia have recently navigated a "difficult period."

He noted that, while he and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet had previously agreed to resolve complex issues through dialogue, Cambodia ultimately opted for the UNCLOS mechanism.

"Thailand is engaging in good faith, but our position is clear and this process concerns the delimitation of maritime boundaries only," Anutin said, adding that Thailand has never sought conflict.

He urged Cambodia to work constructively on joint border security, demining operations and cracking down on online scam networks.

Beyond regional border matters, the Prime Minister called for fundamental reforms to the United Nations system to rebuild global trust, advocating for a revamped UN Security Council that gives a larger voice to the Global South.

Highlighting the need for greater gender equality at the highest levels of international governance, Anutin suggested that "perhaps now is the time to appoint a female UN Secretary-General."

On the political crisis in Myanmar, Anutin reiterated Thailand's support for a peaceful, Myanmar-led resolution while also emphasising that Bangkok favours "constructive and calibrated re-engagement" guided by ASEAN to foster dialogue and secure concrete progress on the ground.