Most Thais clueless about MoU 44, Koh Kut dispute with Cambodia: poll

According to a common opinion survey, the majority of Thais have no idea or desire to understand the controversy surrounding Signed 44 and the Koh Kut border dispute with Cambodia, while those who do so had no faith that the government will be able to defend the country’s interests.

Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) 44, which acknowledged joint development of an overlapping claim area in the Gulf of Thailand, was signed by Thailand, under the leadership of Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodia, under prime minister Hun Sen in 2001. The MoU, according to reviewers, was signed in a Specifically, Cambodia’s punitive carving of the continental shelf moderate, which trespasses on Thailand’s geographical region, Exclusive Economic Zone, and about half of the island of Koh Kut in Trat state, violates the principles of the UNCLOS, which were violated by critics 23 years ago.

Prior to this week’s announcement, foreign affairs minister Maris Sangiampongsa made it clear that any disagreements over the MoU’s sea independence would not be resolved until a consensus is reached on the sea demarcation issue.

The National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll, asked 1, 310 citizens across Thailand about a subject entitled&nbsp,” Has people understood the continuing debate about&nbsp, MoU 44 and the Koh Kut circumstance”? &nbsp, The comments were as follows: &nbsp,

• 58.86 % had no understanding

• 19.31 % had little understanding&nbsp, &nbsp,

• 15.65 % had some understanding&nbsp,

• 6.18 % had a good understanding&nbsp,

The answers were as follows when asked if they wanted to learn more about the controversy and worry that the MoU from 2001 and Koh Kut in Trat, eastern Australia, piqued.

• 41.22 % did not want to know at all

• 26.72 % really wanted to understand &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp,

• 16.64 % had some desire to understand&nbsp,

• 15.42 % slightly wanted to understand

When the respondents to the 2001 MoU 44 and Koh Kut disagreement were asked whether they believed the government could pursue negotiations with Cambodia over disputed maritime places, the response varied as follows:

• 33.68 % had no confidence

• 29.17 % had little respect &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp,

• 24.65 % had some trust

• 12.50 % had great confidence

The poll was conducted on Nov 12-13 on individuals aged over 18 of several levels of education and activities. &nbsp,