PUBLISHED : 15 Dec 2025 at 05:22
Protesters demonstrate at parliament in Bangkok on Aug 21 to demand the cancellation of the two Thai-Cambodian MoUs. A Senate committee is expected to decide on Tuesday on whether to retain, amend or revoke MoU 44 signed with Cambodia in 2001 on overlapping maritime boundaries. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
A Senate committee is expected to decide on Tuesday on whether to retain, amend or revoke the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Cambodia in 2001 on overlapping maritime boundaries, following a 24-year period marked by limited progress.
Senator Noppadon Inna, chairman of the Senate committee studying the pros and cons of revoking the 2000 and 2001 MoUs aimed at resolving Thai–Cambodian border disputes, said the panel has completed its re…
PUBLISHED : 15 Dec 2025 at 05:22
Protesters demonstrate at parliament in Bangkok on Aug 21 to demand the cancellation of the two Thai-Cambodian MoUs. A Senate committee is expected to decide on Tuesday on whether to retain, amend or revoke MoU 44 signed with Cambodia in 2001 on overlapping maritime boundaries. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
A Senate committee is expected to decide on Tuesday on whether to retain, amend or revoke the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Cambodia in 2001 on overlapping maritime boundaries, following a 24-year period marked by limited progress.
Senator Noppadon Inna, chairman of the Senate committee studying the pros and cons of revoking the 2000 and 2001 MoUs aimed at resolving Thai–Cambodian border disputes, said the panel has completed its review of MoU 2001, commonly referred to as MoU 44.
He said the panel will reconvene tomorrow for final deliberations and seek an immediate resolution from the meeting.
"Overall, we have already examined the advantages and disadvantages to a significant extent. I expect the review to be complete, and I will ask the meeting to vote right away on whether MoU 44 should remain in force, be revoked or be amended," he said, adding that a conclusion is likely.
Many committee members saw considerable flaws in the agreement. "MoU 44 has been in effect for 24 years, and during that time there has been virtually no progress.
"When the drawbacks are weighed against the benefits, the trend suggests many do not want the MoU to continue. That said, a formal resolution of the meeting is required," he said.
Meanwhile, Olarn Thinbangtieo, a political science and law lecturer at Burapha University, said the international community – particularly the US – should focus on what he described as the "Hun Sen regime" as the root cause of the Thai–Cambodian conflict.
Washington has asked both countries to go back to the ceasefire agreement they signed months earlier.
From a political science perspective, Mr Olarn said if US President Donald Trump genuinely seeks to play a role in peacebuilding, efforts should target the power structures underpinning the regime in Cambodia, rather than pressuring neighbouring countries defending their sovereignty.
"Cambodia is not Thailand’s enemy; the Hun Sen regime is a threat through international scamming operations and money laundering," he said.