Bangkok: Admiral Chumpol Lumpikanon has urged Thais to embrace responsible patriotism in the ongoing efforts to cancel MOU 44, a bilateral agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. The admiral emphasized that the process of revocation will be lengthy, projecting a timeline of at least ten years.
According to Thai News Agency, Admiral Chumpol, a notable figure on the National Maritime Security Policy Committee, addressed the complexities surrounding the cancellation of MOU 44. He highlighted that the 2001 agreement has yet to produce tangible results despite five joint meetings between Thailand and Cambodia. These efforts have been hindered by political challenges and differing opinions within Thailand, preventing substantial progress. Admiral Chumpol noted that the situation has changed now that Cambodia has ratified the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), subjecting both nations to the same international legal framework.
Admiral Chumpol explained that the core of the UNCLOS process is to enable negotiations on maritime benefit divisions, with a focus on demarcating territorial boundaries. Disputed areas may become joint development zones or enter a dispute resolution process. He expressed confidence in the expertise of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Thai Navy, which has trained officers in internationally recognized courses on maritime boundary demarcation.
The admiral acknowledged that while Thailand should not be disadvantaged due to its geographical features, the boundary dispute could be resolved through options such as arbitration or the International Court of Justice. He refrained from disclosing specifics, citing national interest concerns, but assured that relevant parties are well-prepared. He also mentioned that Cambodia is monitoring the situation and has shown readiness by participating in UNCLOS.
Admiral Chumpol stressed the importance of national unity and responsible patriotism, urging Thais to prioritize the nation's best interests. He cautioned against an uncompromising stance that may hinder the utilization of maritime resources. Instead, he advocated for reasonable compromises and collaborative resource extraction efforts, predicting that the process will span decades, akin to Thailand's maritime boundary negotiations with Vietnam and Malaysia.