As Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pursues closer ties with neighbouring Cambodia, he is also under pressure to speed up, set clear timelines and procedures for negotiations on the two countries’ overlapping claims over areas in the Gulf of Thailand.
Thailand is in a rush to settle its maritime dispute and also quickly tap abundant petroleum resources for energy security.
Srettha had discussed the matter with Hun Manet during the Cambodian prime minister’s official visit to Thailand on February 7. “As Thailand and Cambodia import huge amounts of natural fuel every year, we discussed and agreed to strengthen our cooperation in the field of energy security,” Srettha told a joint press conference after a bilateral meeting with Hun Manet.
“In this regard, we agreed to further discuss the joint exploration of the hydrocarbon resources in the Overlapping Claims Area between the…
