Ratchada explained the reasons for cancelling MOU 44, noting it has existed for 25 years without meeting its objectives, causing conflict and mutual suspicion between the two countries. The matter is scheduled to be presented to the Cabinet for further consideration.
At 13:35 on 23 Apr 2026 GMT+7, at the Naree Samosorn Building, Government House, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the National Security Council meeting No. 2/2569 had resolved to cancel MOU 44 in line with government policy for the following reasons: 1. MOU 44 was a framework for negotiating joint management of offshore resources between Thailand and Cambodia. However, over the past 20-plus years, there have been only five negotiation sessions with no beneficial conclusions for either country. Instead, it caused maritime boundary disputes, fostering conflict and no path toward joint development and resource management.
Ms. Ratchada stated that 2. The cancellation of MOU 44 aims to end negotiations under its framework. If Cambodia still wishes to collaborate on offshore resource development and management with Thailand, it is asked to express its intent or notify Thailand. This will enable establishing a new, feasible negotiation framework that avoids previous maritime boundary disputes.
Ms. Ratchada added that 3. It must be acknowledged that the conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia over the past 25 years, since the implementation of MOU 44, have contributed to stalled negotiations and failure to achieve the MOU’s objectives. If the current disputes persist, joint development and management of offshore resources will be difficult. The key principle is to first agree on maritime boundaries, then seek ways to develop and manage resources based on sincerity and fair sharing by both sides.
“Having MOU 44 in place for 25 years with only five negotiation sessions, failing to meet its objectives, clearly shows this MOU cannot achieve its goals. Its existence not only fails to bring benefits but also generates distrust and conflict between the two countries. Therefore, it is appropriate to cancel it and establish a new negotiation framework to reduce conflicts and enable effective resource utilization,” Ms. Ratchada said.
Ms. Ratchada also stated that on 9 April, the Prime Minister presented the Cabinet’s policy to Parliament, including foreign affairs and security. Under item 9, promoting border security free from all threats and resolving cross-border issues with neighboring countries to create peace in Thai society, subsection 9.2 emphasized continuing efforts to resolve Thailand-Cambodia issues peacefully through existing bilateral mechanisms and accelerating study on cancelling MOU 2544. Today’s National Security Council meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved this. The next step is to submit it to the Cabinet for approval, enabling the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to proceed accordingly.