Thai government leaders’ response to Cambodia’s exercise of a lawful option to compel resolution of a maritime dispute under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) diminishes Thailand’s credibility as a law-abiding country.
It should be noted that Thailand continues to maintain armed forces on sovereign Cambodian land territory in violation of ceasefire agreements and international law, so when it speaks angrily about Cambodia’s lawful actions under UNCLOS, it just reinforces the notion that Thailand is only willing to comply with international law when it is convenient to Thai political agendas. This is not the proper behavior of a developed or mature country.
YOUK CHHANG
Director
Documentation Center of Cambodia
July 21, 2026
