Senators Oppose Committee Report Recommending Government Terminate MOU43 Following MOU44, Citing Concerns Over Lost Benefits

At 11:50 a.m. on May 18, 2026, at Parliament, the Senate held a meeting chaired by Deputy Senate President General Kriangkrai Srirak to review a study report on the advantages and disadvantages of terminating MOUs 2543 and 2544 to resolve Thai-Cambodian border issues. The special committee, headed by Senator Nophdol Inna, completed its review. Nophdol reported that the committee unanimously recommended terminating both MOUs, citing that MOU 2543 has constitutional and legal compliance problems. The Cabinet in 2543 only took note of it rather than formally approving it, and the approval to sign and ratify MOU 2543 did not follow Prime Minister's Office regulations requiring Cabinet approval beforehand.

The acceptance of maps at 1:200,000 scale in MOU 2543 altered Thai territory or state authority but was never submitted to Parliament for approval as required by the Constitution. The border demarcation survey between Thailand and Cambodia has progressed minimally despite nearly 26 years having passed, currently only at the initial stage of five phases, with recent clashes occurring.

"The committee confirms that Thailand can unilaterally terminate MOU 2543 but must notify Cambodia at least three months in advance," Nophdol stated. "After notifying Cambodia of termination, Thailand still has at least three more months. Thailand can negotiate improvements with Cambodia, and if successful, withdraw the termination. If negotiations fail, Thailand can still terminate MOU 2543 without affecting previous agreements."

The meeting allowed senators to debate the report, revealing both supporters and opponents. Some senators opposed it, viewing it as having hidden agendas and believing MOU 2543 remains a crucial tool for negotiating with Cambodia, particularly regarding MOU 2544 on resources in overlapping maritime areas, which the Cabinet already voted to terminate on May 5.

Senator Pornchai Witthayaleartpun disagreed with the committee's recommendation, arguing that tearing up the MOU eliminates bilateral mechanisms and forces Thailand into binding arbitration with five foreign arbitrators, thus surrendering Thai sovereignty to outsiders. He contended that terminating MOU 2543 abandons the overlapping area negotiation agreement that allows maritime benefit negotiations simultaneously—an advantage Thailand holds over Cambodia. He urged careful consideration of whether Thailand should use diplomatic tools strategically or act out of unfounded nationalist sentiment.