Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has brushed aside concerns over Cambodia's move to notify the United Nations of its intention to pursue compulsory dispute settlement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) following Thailand's withdrawal from the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU 44).
Mr Anutin made his remarks on Tuesday after being asked whether the government needed to adjust its strategy in response to Cambodia's increasing international outreach.
He said Thailand would continue to set its own approach while safeguarding national sovereignty, dignity and security.
He said he was not aware of any new problems arising from the MoU 44 withdrawal issue and stressed that Cambodia had been informed of Thailand's decision during the recent Asean Summit.
"We informed the Cambodian leader about the withdrawal from MoU 44. They acknowledged it and said they were disappointed. They also indicated they would proceed under Unclos, but there has been no indication of when that process would begin," he said.
According to Reuters, Cambodia said yesterday it informed the United Nations and Thailand that it had launched a compulsory conciliation process under international law aimed at resolving the long-running maritime boundary dispute with Bangkok.
"We have taken this step to protect Cambodia's sovereignty and maritime rights in accordance with international law," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said.
Asked whether Cambodia's actions suggested a discrepancy between its public and private positions, Mr Anutin dismissed the notion. "I don't see it that way. To me, it is all the same," he said.
"Thailand remains committed to its principles and has not taken any action that would place the country at a disadvantage,'' Mr Anutin insisted.
He also criticised what he described as a wave of misinformation surrounding Thai-Cambodian relations, citing recent reports claiming Thailand had opened border crossings or allowed Cambodian students to enter the country on humanitarian grounds.
"These stories were fabricated. Provincial governors have had to issue clarifications because no one can explain the facts better than those directly responsible,'' he said.
Mr Anutin said Thailand had not faced any pressure from the international community over the dispute, noting that recent engagements with foreign leaders and international organisations had proceeded without the issue being raised.
In another development, the Royal Thai Army has rejected claims that past military operations against targets near Chong Sangam in Si Sa Ket province were less intensive than actions carried out in other Thai-Cambodian border areas.
Responding to online reports and public speculation about activities near Chong Sangam checkpoint in Phu Sing district, army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said yesterday the area across the border had previously been used as a support base for military operations that affected Thai civilians and security personnel.
