Why did Cambodia invoke UNCLOS compulsory conciliation?

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Cambodia Invokes UNCLOS Compulsory Conciliation Following Termination of Maritime Agreement with Thailand

Cambodia invoked the compulsory conciliation mechanism under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) after Thailand terminated a 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that governed their overlapping maritime claims in the Gulf of Thailand. This diplomatic action was chosen as an alternative to military escalation, signalling a preference for legal and diplomatic instruments to resolve the dispute over potentially vast energy resources.
Termination of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding

Thailand's decision to terminate the 2001 MoU marked a significant shift in the framework for managing overlapping maritime claims with Cambodia. This agreement had provided a basis for joint development of offshore oil and natural gas resources in disputed waters for over two decades, despite slow progress in negotiations. The area is estimated to contain energy resources valued at up to US$300 billion, including approximately 11 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and substantial oil reserves.
Cambodia's Resort to UNCLOS Conciliation

In response to Thailand's termination of the MoU, Cambodia opted to initiate the compulsory conciliation procedure under UNCLOS. This mechanism has been used previously, notably in the Australia–Timor-Leste maritime dispute which was resolved through compulsory conciliation between 2016 and 2018. This precedent highlights the process as a structured diplomatic framework operating under international supervision, distinct from arbitration or litigation, allowing parties to continue negotiations without relinquishing sovereignty.
Thailand's Stance and ASEAN's Diplomatic Culture

While Cambodia pursued conciliation, Thailand maintained that bilateral negotiations are its preferred approach, while simultaneously affirming UNCLOS as the governing legal framework. Bangkok viewed the termination of the MoU not as an abandonment of diplomacy, but as a move to continue direct negotiations under a clearer legal basis. This situation underscores ASEAN's political culture, which prioritises diplomacy, negotiation, and dialogue over coercion and prolonged confrontation, even amidst existing disputes among member states. The region's founders aimed to prevent disagreements from escalating into conflict, a principle that has largely held for nearly six decades.

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Why did Cambodia invoke UNCLOS compulsory conciliation?

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