“Government Spokesperson” Explains Reasons after NSC Meeting Resolves to Cancel 2001 MOU

Today (April 23, 2026) at 1:30 PM, at Government House, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, Government Spokesperson, announced that the 2nd National Security Council (NSC) meeting of 2026 resolved to "cancel the 2001 MOU" in accordance with government policy. The reasons are as follows: 1. The 2001 MOU is a framework for negotiating the management of shared underwater resources between Thailand and Cambodia. However, in over 20 years, only five negotiations have been held, and no conclusion beneficial to either country has been reached. On the contrary, it has led to maritime boundary disputes, causing conflict between the two nations and lacking a path toward development and shared resource management. 2. The cancellation of the 2001 MOU is intended to terminate negotiations under the 2001 framework. If Cambodia still desires or sees benefits in developing and managing underwater resources with Thailand, they are requested to express their intent or notify Thailand so that a new, feasible negotiation framework can be established that does not lead to maritime boundary disputes as in the past.

Ms. Ratchada further stated: 3. It must be admitted that the conflict situations between Thailand and Cambodia at various times over the past 25 years since the signing of the 2001 MOU have partially hindered the progress of negotiations and failed to achieve the goals set by the 2001 MOU. If such conflict situations persist as they do today, negotiating for shared underwater resource development and management remains difficult. The core principle is that maritime boundaries must be agreed upon first, followed by finding ways for development and shared management based on sincerity and fair sharing for both sides.

Ms. Ratchada added that having the 2001 MOU for 25 years with only five negotiations and failing to operate according to its objectives demonstrates that this MOU cannot lead to the fulfillment of its goals. The existence of the 2001 MOU not only fails to create benefits but also causes distrust and conflict between the two countries. Therefore, it is deemed appropriate to cancel it and establish a new negotiation framework to reduce conflict and effectively utilize resources.

"On April 9, Prime Minister Anutin delivered the Cabinet's policy statement to Parliament, mentioning Thailand's foreign and security policies in Item 9: promoting border security free from all forms of threats and resolving cross-border issues with neighboring countries to create peace for Thai society. Sub-item (9.2) clearly stated: 'Continue efforts to resolve the Thailand-Cambodia situation through peaceful means and existing bilateral mechanisms, including accelerating a study on guidelines for canceling the 2001 MOU.' And today, the NSC meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved this," Ms. Ratchada said.

Ms. Ratchada further stated that after the NSC resolution today, the matter will be proposed to the Cabinet for consideration and a Cabinet resolution, allowing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to proceed with the next steps

Photo : Khanisorn Lorthongdaeng