Amb. Pou Sothirak, Distinguished Senior Advisor to CCRS, attended the Indo-Pacific Security Workshop “Coordinating in Crisis” organized by Lowy Institute in Sydney from 10-11 June, 2026. He shared his perspective on recent development of border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand and discuss the pathways toward regional peace and stability.
Despite third party mediation from ASEAN, the US, and China, ongoing tensions remain a profound concern, primarily impacting both nations politically, economically, and socially.
Following Thailand’s cancelation of MOU 2001 unilaterally and formally, Cambodia started the compulsory conciliation process under UNCLOS regarding the overlapping claim 8areas (OCA).
The pathway toward peace and security for Cambodia and Thailand relies on their resolve to seek peaceful settlement for their border disputes with the help from ASEAN, the US and China to mediate through the existing Ceasefire Agreements.
