Bangkok: "Sihasak" reports to the Cambodian Prime Minister that Thailand is being dragged into the mandatory UNCLOS compromise mechanism.
According to Thai News Agency, Sihasak Phuangketkaew, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, rushed to report to Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul after Cambodia initiated the mandatory compromise mechanism under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This development occurred before a scheduled meeting to brief the diplomatic corps.
The situation unfolded as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul returned to Government House from France. Sihasak had already positioned himself to update the Prime Minister regarding Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet's submission of a letter to Thailand and the United Nations Secretary-General. This letter called for mandatory mediation under UNCLOS, which has prompted the need for a two-person Thai mediation panel. Initial indications suggest that potential panelists have been identified, anticipating Cambodia's approach.
At 2:00 PM, Sihasak is set to brief the diplomatic corps on the developments concerning the Cambodian case. He will inform them about the invocation of mandatory compromise under the United Nations convention at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A press conference is scheduled to follow at 3:30 PM to provide further details.