Regarding the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Position on the Proposal to revoke the MOU 2000 by the Thai Side March 26, 2026
Regarding the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Position on the Proposal to revoke the MOU 2000 by the Thai Side March 26, 2026
Cambodia PR Team Responses
Regarding the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Position on the Proposal to revoke the MOU 2000 by the Thai Side
March 26, 2026
Q1: What is Cambodia’s position on the recommendations to revoke the MOU 2000 by the Thai side?
A: Cambodia firmly rejects and entirely dismisses the reasons and recommendations of the ad hoc Committee of the Thai Senate to revoke the MOU 2000, as they are baseless and contrary to international law. It should be noted that the MOU 2000 is a bilateral treaty signed between the two countries and registered with the United Nations, possessing validity under international law. Under the principles of international law, no party can invoke domestic reasons or any other reasons to revoke such a treaty (as stipulated in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties-VCLT 1969). This recommendation not only serves political interests but also undermines important achievements made by the JBC of the two countries in the past.
Q2: What important role does the MOU 2000 play in resolving border issues?
A: The MOU 2000 plays a crucial role in peacefully resolving border issues through the JBC mechanism, which has full authority to carry out border survey and demarcation based on historical legal documents such as the 1904 and 1907 Franco-Siamese Conventions and Treaties, maps, and Procès-verbaux d’abornement of the Indochina-Siamese Commissions. In fact, under this mechanism, both sides have achieved many accomplishments, such as locating French-era boundary pillars, restoration, and field surveying along the border. Cambodia remains committed to resolving border issues peacefully in accordance with international law and stands ready to continue working with the Thai side to complete the border demarcation.
Q3: If the MOU 2000 is revoked, what impacts could occur?
A: If the MOU 2000 is revoked, it would cause serious legal and regional stability impacts. Such revocation would constitute a violation of international law and contradict the universally recognized principle of intangibility of frontiers (uti possidetis juris). Subsequently, it would weaken or render ineffective cooperative mechanisms such as the JBC, creating obstacles to the resumption of border survey and demarcation. Furthermore, it could escalate tensions and complicate the peaceful resolution of border issues. Therefore, maintaining and implementing the MOU 2000 is essential for ensuring lasting peace and development along the border between the two countries. Conversely, revoking the MOU 2000 would clearly demonstrate Thailand’s intent to evade the peaceful resolution of border issues based on international law, and the international community would see Thailand’s intentions more clearly.
