Thai FM warns Cambodian PM that he is closing the door on bilateral talks

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has warned that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has chosen to close the door on bilateral talks with Thailand by trying to settle the maritime dispute by opting for a compulsory conciliation process, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) framework.

In an interview with Thai media, on the sidelines of the OECD ministerial council meeting in Paris, Sihasak said that Hun Manet’s recent approach to address the maritime conflict with Thailand will not help resolve the dispute, adding that Cambodia has been self-conflicting on various occasions by saying one thing one day and other things on another day.

Instead of heading directly towards a compulsory conciliation process, he said that Cambodia should give bilateral talks a chance under the Joint Border Commission framework first.

“If that does not work, we may agree on other mechanisms, starting with a voluntary conciliation process, in which we can talk, set up a conciliation panel or move to compulsory conciliation. After all, though, we should have a chance for bilateral talks,” said Sihasak.

He pointed out that compulsory conciliation takes time, citing the case of Timor and Australia which took almost two years, adding that this would means that, during the two-years, both Thailand and Cambodia would not be able to demarcate their maritime borders or develop the overlapping areas.

“Why don’t we try for talks between us? We may reach an agreement faster,” said the foreign minister, explaining that he views Hun Manet’s move with suspicion, believing that Cambodia may want to set its own terms or put itself in an advantageous position vis-à-vis Thailand.

Sihasak said that the path Hun Manet has chosen will not resolve the problem and that he will be held accountable.

If both sides are sincere, he said they should be ready to start building mutual trust, said the foreign minister adding, however, that Hun Manet has chosen a different path which will, inevitably, affect efforts to resume good relations and border talks.

Sihasak disclosed that he has consulted with Thailand’s French legal advisors on how it should prepare itself pertaining to the compulsory conciliation process and Thailand’s representation.

He also said that, during the ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will have a chance to hold talks with Hun Manet on the sidelines.

Regarding the compulsory conciliation process, Sihasak explained that any ruling would not be legally binding, but may be used as a basis for further talks between the two countries.

“Why don’t we talk among ourselves first as to whether we can make progress or not before moving towards such mechanism,” said Sihasak.