Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stressed today the need for the speedy setting up of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC), so Thailand and Cambodia can start negotiating joint development of the overlapping claim area in the Gulf, within the framework of MoU 44.
The setting up of the JTC could be implemented after she returns from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Peru on November 18.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed that the MoU is already a complete document, agreed by both Thailand and Cambodia, and there is no need for further approval by parliament.
The MoU, he said, states that the two countries agree to disagree on the demarcation lines, unilaterally drawn by the two countries and resulting in an overlapping claim area covering about 26,000 square kilometres, adding, however, that the issue of territorial sovereignty remains unresolved.
Phumtham also said that the two countries will have to adhere to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, even though Cambodia is not a signatory.
The prime minister said that MoU 44 is not the decider on territorial claims by Thailand and Cambodia, so the two countries need to talk to settle their differences.
She said that the talks on the joint development of the overlapping area can wait until other related issues are resolved through the JTC.
She urged caution over the call by some groups for the government to scrap MoU 44, reminding them of the potentially negative consequences on the relations between Thailand and Cambodia.
The prime minister disclosed that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has asked her how he could help, to which she responded that there is something that she needs to communicate to the Thai people so they understand the real situation.
Regarding Kut Island, which is a significant concern for Thais, in case Cambodia lays claim to it, the prime minster reiterated that Cambodia has no problem and their only question is when the Thai JTC will be ready.
