• Thailand has formally terminated the 2001 MOU 44 agreement with Cambodia, intended to resolve overlapping maritime claims in the Gulf of Thailand and jointly manage offshore resources.
  • The pact failed to deliver results after 35 years and five rounds of talks; its cancellation is seen as a significant regression in bilateral relations.
  • Both countries claim waters around Koh Kood island, controlled by Thailand, believed to hold considerable untapped oil and gas reserves.
  • The termination follows a deadly land conflict along the 800-km border since July, killing at least 150 people and displacing hundreds of thousands.
  • The conflict triggered a political crisis in Thailand, ousting the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government and bringing caretaker PM Anutin Charnvirakul to power.
  • Analysts say the Thai military benefits from tensions by boosting nationalism and independence from civilian government.

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