Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced today that he has instructed relevant agencies to proceed with the cancellation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 44, signed between Thailand and Cambodia in 2001.
This MoU pertains to disputed maritime areas where both countries claim rights to the continental shelf and its mineral and fossil fuel deposits.
Anutin confirmed that the instruction was issued during today’s Cabinet meeting.
He stated that, while the cancellation will not happen immediately under the current government, steps will be taken to prepare for
its annulment.
He emphasised that there had been no progress on the issue and that continuing to uphold the agreement no longer serves any useful purpose.
When asked whether the Cabinet has the authority to cancel the MoU, Anutin replied, "Everything will be done according to the law."
Anutin had addressed this issue during his final rally before the February 8 general election, stating that, if he and his Bhumjaithai party return to power, they would immediately cancel MoU 44.
He also remarked to a cheering crowd that "The 50-50 profit-sharing agreement for the division of marine resources, as previously proposed, will no longer be on the table."
According to the unofficial vote tally following the election, Bhumjaithai won a landslide victory with approximately 194 parliamentary seats, positioning them to form the core of the new government. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, the incumbent foreign minister, is expected to return as deputy prime minister overseeing foreign affairs.
Many civil society networks and members of the public have called for MoU 44 to be annulled, with these calls intensifying after two rounds of border clashes with Cambodia last year, which resulted in the deaths of both soldiers and civilians.
The Foreign Ministry has explained that MoU 44 serves as a framework for the discussion of maritime boundaries and resource-sharing, but does not concede any territorial claims until mutual agreement is reached.
The MoU functions strictly as a negotiation mechanism and, under the current constitution, does not require parliamentary approval. Any agreements arising from negotiations under MoU 44 must, however, be submitted to Parliament for approval before becoming legally binding.
