In response to a dispute over the 2001 deal, Phumtham visits Koh Kut to clear up sovereignty concerns.
TRAT- On Saturday, the authorities reiterated that Thailand’s memorandum of understanding ( MoU) with Cambodia serves as a means of safeguarding its best objectives while insisting that it has no other claim to control Koh Kut in this eastern state.
While on the island, Deputy Minister Phumtham Wechayachai tempered concerns that the agreement, signed while Thaksin Shinawatra was in power, might lead to Thailand losing its sovereignty over the island and the overlapping claims area ( OCA ) in the Gulf of Thailand.
Thai Pakdee Party chair Warong Dechgitvigrom, a vocal supporter of the Thaksin package, visited the island to pressurize the government to end it the same day.
He aims to obtain 100, 000 petitions to support his plea to have the MoU nullified. The government claims that ending it formally was threaten Cambodian relations.
The Palang Pracharath Party, headed by Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, has even called for the renewal of the MoU. ( see Graphic at end of story ).
According to Mr. Phumtham, who is also the defense chancellor,” I think those who live on the island are also assured that the area belongs to Thailand.”
He claimed that the government is trying to explain the information in light of the confusion caused by rumors and false information spread by ultra-nationalists about the MoU and Koh Kut.
” Certainly, Koh Kut has belonged to Thailand for a long, long time. He claimed that there are both Thai residents and authorities buildings.
” This issue has been used for social purposes.”
The most effective tool for negotiations over sea gains should be conducted based on both countries ‘ satisfaction, according to MoU. It serves to protect Thailand’s best pursuits, and it is the most effective tool for these conversations. ”  ,
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who is also the army secretary, speaks to reporters while visiting Koh Kut in Trat on Saturday. ( Photo: Jakkrit Waewkraihong )
In the following two weeks, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the formation of a Joint Technical Committee to initiate negotiations over the sea claims made by both nations.
However, Dr. Warong argued that before both sides can engage in further discussions, the government must firmly request that Cambodia ratify the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea ( UNCLOS).
Cambodia could later use the fact that it is n’t a signatory as an excuse for the disputed maritime boundary’s disputed delimitation, according to Mr. Warong.
Under the 2001 MoU, the 26, 000-square-kilometre OCA is split into two parts — the upper portion that is pending limit separation agreements, and the lower part that is designated for joint growth by both countries, said Dr Warong.
He expressed shock over the PM’s “naive misinterpretation” of Koh Kut’s western shelves claim.
The prime minister, he said, he did n’t appear to be aware that other nations, besides Thailand, could not agree on a similar designation.
He claimed that Cambodia purposefully drawn the series around the area in an effort to simultaneously assert the right to control coastal tools that are regarded as an OCA.
The Thai authorities has countered that the chart used in the MoU only serves as an illustration of the respective nations’ claimed continental shelf place and does not straddle a sea boundary.
No bound, says Thaksin
However, Thaksin claimed on Saturday in Bangkok that the 2001 MoU serves as a guide for future discussions of issues that could be resolved by both sides. It is not a binding agreement.
He claimed, however, that the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 and international law both grant recognition of the MoU’s position.
Thaksin resisted linking the offer and his close ties with Cambodia and its former leader Hun Sen because they are two separate issues when asked about ideas.
” When I was prime minister and the riot ( in 2003 ) erupted at the Thai embassy in Cambodia, I was then a close friend]to the Cambodian regime].
” But I held Thailand’s interests above anything else]when handling the situation back then ]”, he said.
According to Mr. Phumtham, Thaksin’s brief tenure as an economic adviser to Cambodia came two decades ago. The former prime minister has also advised various nations on their financial affairs.
