Thailand is ready for the first conciliation meeting with Cambodia, scheduled in Singapore from Monday to Wednesday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow will lead the Thai delegation, with Ambassador Songchai Chaipatiyut serving as his deputy.
Representatives from the ministry and relevant agencies will also attend, including the Hydrographic Department and the Naval Operations Department of the Royal Thai Navy, as well as the Department of Mineral Fuels under the Energy Ministry.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the Thai delegation included people with specialised knowledge, experience and expertise relevant to the proceedings.
Both parties’ opening statements will be broadcast live on Sept 15, allowing the public to hear their respective positions in the conciliation proceedings.
The first meeting will also consider adopting the Rules of Procedure, which will establish the rules and framework for the Conciliation Commission’s work and guide subsequent meetings and related proceedings.
The ministry said Thailand, as a state party to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), was ready to cooperate fully with and support the commission’s work under international law.
The conciliation process is expected to take about 12 months. Afterwards, the Conciliation Commission will issue a report containing its conclusions or recommendations.
The ministry stressed that the commission’s conclusions and recommendations would not be binding on Thailand or Cambodia.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry and relevant agencies said they would make every effort to protect Thailand’s national interests throughout the process.