Prolonged Thai-Cambodian talks lead to huge shortage of natural gas

5-6-2012
Plastermart.com

As per a report from the Department of Mineral Fuels, the amount of natural gas from fields located in the offshore Gulf of Thailand area would slowly decline over the next 12 to 18 months. This means that the country's petrochemical industry, which has been relying heavily on raw materials made from natural gas, will face a major shortage in their manufacturing process. As per The Nation, Thai energy minister has urged PTT to urgently prepare for new challenges as talks about overlapping territorial claims between Thailand and Cambodia have been prolonged causing a huge shortage of natural gas and its by-products. Should the issue get settled in the next year or two, then it would take another 10 years before Thailand can start drilling for natural gas in the area. He said the petrochemical industry would need to make adjustments to deal with the situation when there is a low supply of natural gas.

Surakiart defends sea borders MoU

7/09/2011
Nattaya Chetchotiros
Bangkok Post

Former deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai said yesterday that the 2001 memorandum of understanding on maritime borders between Thailand and Cambodia had been beneficial to the kingdom.

The ex-minister who served in the Thaksin Shinawatra government came out in defence of the deal after the Democrat Party on Monday questioned the merits of the MoU.

Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut told reporters on Monday that the Thaksin government had signed the deal with Cambodia in haste after having been in office only a few months. He also dismissed Mr Surakiart's earlier claim that the MoU compels Phnom Penh to accept that Koh Kut, which is located in the Gulf of Thailand, belongs to Thailand.

Mr Surakiart insisted yesterday the MoU did compel the Cambodian government to recognise Koh Kut as being in Thai territorial waters, although it had tried to say in 1972 that the island and the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia.

[Thai] Foreign Ministry reaffirms Koh Kut under Thai sovereignty

September 6, 2011
Source: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/35.php?id=28017

On 5 September 2011, in response to media enquiries regarding Koh Kut, Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Director-General of the Department of Information and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, made the following statement:

1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms that Koh Kut is under Thai sovereignty. The 1907 Treaty between Siam and France clearly stated that the French government ceded to Thailand the territories of Trat and all the islands situated to the south of cape of Laem Sing, up until and including Koh Kut; in exchange, Thailand ceded to France the territories of Siem Reap, Battambang, and Sisophon.

2. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Royal Thai Government and the Royal Government of Cambodia regarding the Area of their Overlapping Maritime Claims to the Continental Shelf, signed on 18 June 2001, also clearly indicates that Koh Kut is under the sovereignty of Thailand, which Cambodia has accepted and never challenged this fact. This is reflected in the map attached to the said 2001 Memorandum of Understanding showing that the upper line of the overlapping claims area was drawn southwardly surrounding Koh Kut instead of crossing over it.

3. Thailand and Cambodia will have to continue negotiations to delimit the exact maritime boundary in accordance with international law.

Cambodia Calls for Talks With Thailand on Disputed Offshore Gas

Aug. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Cambodia called for official talks with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to jointly develop areas of the Gulf of Thailand that may be rich in oil and gas after revealing it held secret meetings with her predecessor.

"Cambodia would welcome the resumption of open and official negotiation on this issue and will pursue such a course as soon as practicable," the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority said in a statement yesterday.

Talks on delineating 26,000 square kilometers in the Gulf of Thailand stalled as battles between the neighbors since 2008 over temples on their land border killed more than two dozen people. Ex-leader Abhisit Vejjajiva scrapped a 2001 deal that established a framework for the talks after Cambodia appointed Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck's brother, as an adviser.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An held "secret meetings" with Suthep Thaugsuban, Abhisit's deputy, the past two years on the disputed maritime territory, according to the statement. Cambodia's petroleum agency said Abhisit has been "attempting to derail" negotiations with Yingluck's government, which took power earlier this month.

Suthep declined to comment when reached by phone today.

--With assistance from Supunnabul Suwannakij in Bangkok. Editor: Tony Jordan

Suthep denies secret deals over maritime zone

September 1, 2011
The Nation

Former Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban admitted yesterday that he met Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An twice - in Hong Kong and Kunming - but did not make any secret deal over the maritime resources in the overlapping zone in the Gulf of Thailand.

The Thai government under Abhisit Vejjajiva then invited Sok An to talk on the matter in Thailand but the latter had no free time to visit Thailand and so informal meetings were held in Hong Kong, Suthep said.

"I told Sok An that - as both of us were appointed chief negotiators on the overlapping area in the sea - why didn't we open a formal meeting to follow what previous governments had done," Suthep told reporters.

"Returning home, I rushed to issue a letter of invitation to talk in Thailand - but the meeting has never taken place as the bilateral relations turned sour," he said.

Suthep decided to clarify his meetings with Sok An after the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority issued a statement on Tuesday accusing Abhisit's administration of attempting to make a secret deal on the maritime zone.

Oil dispute flares up

Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Tom Brennan and Vong Sohkeng
The Phnom Penh Post

Secret meetings between high-ranking Thai and Cambodian officials to solve the demarcation of disputed offshore petroleum resources took place during the administration of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority revealed yesterday.

In a statement some commentators described as “coordinated attack” by the current Cambodian and Thai governments against political opponents, it also claimed there have been no such discussions since the election of Puea Thai in July.

The two countries first signed a memorandum of understanding on joint management of the Overlapping Claims Area in 2001, with a joint working group discussing further details from 2001 to 2007. The MoU for managing the OCA, which is thought to hold significant oil and gas reserves, was put on hold by the Thai government in November 2009.

“Even during the past few years when the [joint working group] did not meet formally, the Abhisit government continued to engage the Royal Government of Cambodia in negotiations on the OCA on multiple occasions …” the statement said.

Declaration of the CNPA on the Negotiation of the Area of Overlapping Maritime Claims

http://www.box.net/shared/j8a2zdaqebo9ck289rml


http://www.box.net/shared/vzjt0oxbk1sj4fbbd48b

Cambodia calls for talks with Thailand on disputed oil and gas zone

Aug 30, 2011
DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodia called Tuesday for the newly elected Thai government to resume talks on resolving claims to a 27,000-square-kilometre stretch of seabed considered rich in oil and gas.

The Cambodian National Petroleum Authority, a government body, said it had 'a firm commitment to finding an equitable and transparent resolution to the overlapping claims area.'

'The [government] would welcome the resumption of open and official negotiation on this issue and will pursue such a course as soon as practicable,' it said.

The statement marked the second time in little more than a month that Cambodia has sought to restart the talks.

Cambodia: Jointly develop maritime zone

August 31, 2011
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

Cambodia yesterday called for resumption of negotiations with the Thai government to settle the dispute in an overlapping area in the Gulf of Thailand and jointly develop the maritime resource, while also rejecting the Thai opposition Democrat Party's accusation of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra having a personal interest in the project.

The Cambodian National Petroleum Authority issued a statement calling on Thailand to honour the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the area of overlapping maritime claim signed by the two countries in 2001. The Mo aimed to jointly develop the area in the gulf, which is claimed by both sides and is believed to have abundant petroleum resources.

The Abhisit Vejjajiva government decided to scrap the MoU signed during the time of the Thaksin administration after Thaksin was appointed Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's adviser in November 2009. Abhisit accused Thaksin of having personal interest in the maritime deal and the likelihood of him disclosing information that would benefit Phnom Penh under the 2001 MoU.

However, the denunciation of the MoU did not come into effect as the Abhisit government did not officially inform Phnom Penh of the decision.

Memo From Bora Touch to HM Sihanouk on Cambodia's Maritime Borders (2004)

Memo From Bora Touch to HM Sihanouk on Maritime Borders (2004)

http://www.scribd.com/full/53482658?access_key=key-1ocqwunii8nzq3lqvxmy

[Thai] Navy's costly sub dream needs a lot of explaining

April 5, 2011
By Avudh Panananda
The Nation

The Navy's used submarine shopping plan lacks foresight and will likely lead to higher costs in the future.

The country saw its first submarine deployment in 1938 when four vessels constructed in Japan, including the HTMS Matchanu, took part in coastal battles during the Franco-Siam War and World War II.

The four boats were decommissioned in 1951 due to both a lack of spare parts- because Japan was barred from weapons production - and political reprisal following a Navy-led coup attempt.

And for the past 60 years, the Navy's big dream has been to rebuild its submarine squadron.

2001 MoU with Thailand regarding the overlapping maritme claims to the continetal shelf

Defense Minister to Attend Thai-Cambodia Border Committee Meeting

25 November 2009
Thai-ASEAN News Network

The Thai Defense Minister will attend a meeting of the General Border Committee, or GBC, between Thailand and Cambodia, which will take place tomorrow and Friday in Pattaya.

The Cambodian Defense Minister has confirmed his attendance at the meeting.

Defense Ministry Spokesman Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng revealed Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan will be the head of Thai delegation to attend the GBC meeting between Thailand and Cambodia on Thursday and Friday.

Cambodian Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tea Banh has confirmed his attendance, while senior army officers of both sides will also be present at the meeting.

Top leaders in Thai defense, including Army Commander-in-Chief General Anupong Paochinda , Thai Navy Commander Admiral Kamthorn Phumhiran and Airforce Commander-in-Chief Itthaporn Supawong will all attend the meeting.

Armed Forces Supreme Commander General Songkitti Jakkabatra cannot attend the meeting due to a prior assignment in a foreign country.

The GBC meeting will take place at Dusit Thani Hotel in Pattaya, and is aimed at promoting cooperation between the two sides on security along the border, and possibly easing tension between the two countries.

Colonel Thanathip revealed five points to be discussed at the meeting.

First, amicable relations between the troops of both countries that are currently stationed along the border, and their cooperation in solving problems together in every situation under the guidance of their commanders in respective locales.

Second, border trade between citizens of both countries to be based on fairness and mutual benefits.

Third, measures to safeguard violations to border agreements, and measures to promote strict enforcement of border agreements in order to tackle criminal activities such as drug trafficking, robbery and terrorism.

Fourth, guidelines on cooperation between the two forces and regular exchange programs for army leaders to strengthen cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia, especially in regard to setting up a landmine recovery center.

The Fifth point concerns an attempt to push for surveys at border and maritime areas.

The unofficial talks between Thailand and Cambodia are expected to revolve around the issue of Thai engineer who was detained in Cambodia on spying charges, and the waters closure at Koh Kong province, to help ease tension through close relations between the armies of both countries.

Why Did We [Thais] Tear Up the Thai-Cambodian MoU Again?

November 23rd, 2009 edition
by M.R. Preediyathorn Thewakul, former Deputy Prime Minister in 2006
rewritten by Patcharapol Jitramontree
patcharapol@tannetwork.tv
Posted on Thai-ASEAN News Network

Thereafter, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya announced that Thailand may tear up the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Thailand and Cambodia on the overlapping maritime territory between Thailand and Cambodia, as it was signed by the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2001, who may reveal relevant information to put Thailand at a disadvantage in future negotiations. After all, the overlapping maritime territory is known to be the home of a lot of oil and natural gas.

In addition, Deputy Secretary General to the Prime Minister Dr. Panitan Wattanayakorn echoed Foreign Minister Kasit that the move was necessary to protect the country's interests. Dr. Panitan's support of the decision put even more weight behind the move, eliminating many doubts Thais may have had about the decision.

Out of patriotism, I (M.R. Preediyathorn) initially supported the Government's decision.

However, many veteran academics came out afterwards and publicly warned the Government about such move, prompting me (M.R. Preediyathorn) to acquire a copy of the MoU to see for myself. I (M.R. Preediyathorn) have to say that I was immediately enlightened and shocked.

The fact is that the MoU was written in no way that would allow the former Prime Minister and fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra to reveal any information to the Cambodian Government to put Thailand at a disadvantage. The MoU stipulates that the current Thai Government has the full authority in negotiating with the Cambodian government in terms of the consensus on who gets what, who is responsible for what, how a particular operation should be carried out, as well as how the benefits will be shared, are all entirely up to the two current Governments of Thailand and Cambodia.

As such, Thaksin is, at least with regard to this MoU, in no way a threat to the interests of Thailand as the economic adviser for Prime Minister Hun Sen. The current Government has every right to decide and keep negotiation information a mystery to Thaksin.

Furthermore, the MoU mandates that a joint committee made up of Thai and Cambodian representatives be set up to facilitate an appropriate negotiation. To my (M.R. Preediyathorn) knowledge, the aforementioned joint committee has yet to be set up. In fact, the Government hasn't even set any policies to hint at forming such a joint committee.

All Thailand has to do to keep Cambodia's hand out of the cookie jar is to close the lid by abstaining from setting up the joint committee. Without the committee, Thaksin is entirely irrelevant.

In the end, I (M.R. Preediyathorn) don't see the necessity to drop the MoU at all. While conflicts last for days, weeks or months, we should keep in mind that bordering countries must continue to co-exist for hundreds and thousands of years to come. And as many like to say that there is sunshine after rain, in this particular matter of the overlapping maritime territory, the sun may never shine again for either countries if the MoU is scrapped in the end.

One particular aspect of this whole ordeal that truly upsets me (M.R. Preediyathorn) is the fact that Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said that there is a potential that the former prime minister and fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra could put Thailand at a disadvantage having been appointed the economic adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The result is that those who are in the know about such truth of the MoU, both in Cambodia and in other countries, certainly have lost some level of respect for the Thai Government.

In my opinion, it isn't too late for the Thai Government to fix this problem. The decision to scrap the MoU will have to pass through the House and the Senate, which is set to be a rough ride. Don't expect the MPs and Senators to be so easy on the decision, as these guys, to some level, still have Thailand's interests at heart.

Patriot games 'are damaging' [-Thai academics urge their govt not to revoke MoU with Cambodia]

Don't revoke Cambodia accords, say academics

23/11/2009
Bangkok Post

...if the second MoU is also revoked, Thailand could lose current territorial rights over Koh Kut island because Cambodia's acknowledgement of the Thai rights is part of this MoU

The government's move to revoke memorandums of understanding with Cambodia could put Thailand at a disadvantage, leading academics say.

The government should not let a mounting sense of patriotism influence its decision to nullify any MoU with Cambodia, said Puangthong Pawakapan, an international relations lecturer at Chulalongkorn University. She said taking such action could do more harm than good to the nation.

Two agreements have been much discussed, she said, adding one was signed during the Chuan Leekpai administration and the other during the Thaksin Shinawatra government.

The first MoU deals with survey and demarcation of land boundaries, and the second with the overlapping continental shelf area. If the first MoU is torn up, Mrs Puangthong said, any agreement on the survey and demarcation of land boundaries - which both sides have tried to negotiate for many years - would be scrapped.

The revocation of this MoU would inevitably result in a domino effect on another MoU Thailand has reached with Laos, she said. And if the second MoU is also revoked, Thailand could lose current territorial rights over Koh Kut island because Cambodia's acknowledgement of the Thai rights is part of this MoU, she said.

The termination of the MoU on the overlapping maritime boundary is awaiting parliamentary approval after the cabinet resolved on Nov 10 to have it revoked.

"We should not be tempted to resolve Thai-Cambodian conflicts by means of politics ... and we should get rid of the old attitude that Thailand is superior to Cambodia," she said.

Charnwit Kasetsiri, a former Thammasat University rector, said he hoped Thais who still believed Cambodia relied heavily on Thailand as it had in the past would change their attitudes.

Cambodia has now formed cooperation with many other countries since the day the Thai-Cambodian border dispute erupted, Mr Charnwit said.

Cambodia has developed cooperation with the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) about having the Preah Vihear temple listed as a World Heritage site and sought economic cooperation with China, Japan and Korea, he said.

Mr Charnwit said if the rift between Thailand and Cambodia drags on, the former could lose hundreds of millions of baht in investment opportunities.

Warning over [Thailand] lost advantage if maritime MoU scrapped

November 14, 2009
By Watcharapong Thongrung
The Nation

The Mineral Fuels Department yesterday warned that Thailand could be at a disadvantage if its memorandum of understanding with Cambodia on a maritime pact were terminated.

A government source said the 2001 MoU was the starting point for further negotiations on sharing economic benefits in overlapping territorial waters covering 26,000 square kilometres.

Based on the MoU, Thailand and Cambodia can negotiate to jointly develop the area in a way similar to that of the Thai-Malaysian Joint Development Area.

"If we scrapped the MoU, we would have to negotiate the principles again - and we may not get conditions as good as those in the current MoU," said the source.

At present, several companies such as Chevron, BG Asia and PTT Exploration and Production hold petroleum exploration concessions granted by Thailand.

Kurujit Nakorntab, director-general of the Mineral Fuels Department, said Parliament would have to approve the termination of the Thai-Cambodian MoU, which was being sought by the Cabinet following the current diplomatic row with Cambodia.

[Thai] Cabinet revokes MoU on maritime border

11/11/2009
Bangkok Post

The cabinet has revoked a memorandum of understanding on the overlapping maritime boundary with Cambodia but it will not take effect until it is approved by parliament.

Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn yesterday said the cabinet decided to scrap the MoU because former prime minister Thaksin knew the Thai position and details which could put Thailand in a disadvantageous position, and negotiations between the two countries had made little progress over the past eight years.

''We haven't benefited from this MoU because Cambodia has not cooperated in abiding by the framework set by this MoU that much,'' said Mr Panitan.

The MoU was signed in 2001 when Thaksin was prime minister. Its main goal is to demarcate the territorial waters and jointly explore natural gas and oil reserves in the area.

The cabinet will now seek parliamentary approval to annul the MoU.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the cabinet needed to urgently propose the termination of the MoU to parliament because the current parliamentary session will end on Nov 28.

Meanwhile, a joint session of the two houses yesterday withdrew the agreed minutes of the Joint Boundary Commission on the joint survey and demarcation of the disputed area around the Preah Vihear temple. Members of the two houses voted 314 to 35 to withdraw it from the agenda.

Cabinet to consider revoking MOU with Cambodia

BANGKOK, Nov 6 (TNA) - Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya said he would ask the cabinet to consider revoking a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Thailand and Cambodia on overlapping maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Thailand as the MoU would be affected by the appointment of convicted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as economic advisor to Cambodian government.

The MoU regarding the Area of their Overlapping Maritime Claims to the Continental Shelf, dated 18 June 2001 was signed by then-foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration.

Mr Kasit said the government had ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review all existing bilateral agreements and cooperation projects made with Cambodia and review ongoing cooperation that the Thai government has extended to Cambodia.

Having learned that Mr Thaksin has been appointed as an economic advisor to the government of Cambodia, he said, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs will propose to the Cabinet that the said MOU be terminated.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is of the view that the appointment of Mr Thaksin will directly affect negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia under the framework of this MOU due to the fact that Mr Thaksin was directly involved in the negotiation process.

Furthermore, the ministry believes that the overlapping claims of area between Thailand and Cambodia are matters of national interest, in particular, when considering that the overlapping area is over 26,000 square kilometres and has great potential in terms of natural resources.

Negotiations on this matter thus affect immensely the economic and national security of Thailand. Therefore, the ministry deems it appropriate to proceed on this matter with public participation in line with democratic principles enshrined in the provisions of the present Constitution.

Negotiations under the framework of the MOU 2001 during the previous eight years have produced no progress. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes both countries should employ other avenues of negotiation in accordance with the principles of international law to achieve an equitable solution.

Thailand to review all bilateral pacts with Cambodia [-Is Thaksin worth the trouble?]

Nov 6, 2009
DPA

As part of the review Thailand has cancelled talks on a disputed maritime boundary in the Gulf of Thailand, effectively ending plans to jointly exploit petroleum resources in the offshore area, the Bangkok Post reported.

Bangkok - Thailand plans to review all bilateral agreements and cooperation projects with Cambodia after the two countries recalled their ambassadors in an escalating diplomatic spat over fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, reports said Friday.

The Thai government on Thursday recalled its ambassador to Cambodia, Prasas Prasasvinitchai, after Phnom Penh appointed Thaksin an honorary economic advisor, a not-so-diplomatic gesture towards the current Thai government which regards the ex-premier an archenemy.

Cambodia reciprocated by recalling its ambassador to Bangkok, You Ay.

'The appointment of Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin as economic advisor to the Royal Government of Cambodia and personal advisor to Prime Minister Hun Sen is seen as interference with Thailand's domestic affairs and a failure to respect Thailand's judicial system,' the Thai Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It added that the government will also review all bilateral agreements and cooperation projects with Cambodia.

As part of the review Thailand has cancelled talks on a disputed maritime boundary in the Gulf of Thailand, effectively ending plans to jointly exploit petroleum resources in the offshore area, the Bangkok Post reported.

The move was seen as retaliation against Hun Sen, who has trumpeted his personal friendship with Thaksin, a former billionaire telecommunications tycoon with past business dealings in Cambodia.

'Thailand believes Hun Sen was banking on Thaksin's return to power to quickly convert the idea for the two countries to jointly develop the disputed maritime territory in the Gulf of Thailand, rich in natural gas and oil, into practice,' the Bangkok Post claimed, citing government sources.

Thaksin was prime minister from 2001 to 2006 before being toppled by a coup. He faces a two-year jail sentence in Thailand for abuse of power for allowing his billionaire wife in 2003 to successfully bid on a prime plot of Bangkok land in a government auction.

Thaksin has been living in self-imposed exile, mostly in Dubai, since August 2008 but continues to be a thorn in the side of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government.

'Mr Thaksin is well-known and very successful in business,' Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan said Thursday. 'We consider him as a good quality human resource for Cambodia, and we need people from every corner of the globe to build this country.'

Thaksin has accepted Cambodia's offer according to a message he posted on his Twitter site.

Thailand has threatened to ask for Thaksin's extradition should he arrive in Cambodia, but Phnom Penh has said it would refuse to do so 'under any circumstances' as it considers his conviction politically motivated.

Thaksin was overthrown after he lost the backing of Thailand's Bangkok-based middle class and political elite. He remains popular with the poor because of his populist economic policies.

Thailand want 2/3 right of oil and gas in "overlapping" sea territory with Cambodia?

'Use Thai-VN model with Cambodia' on oil

November 4, 2009
By Watcharapong Thongrung
The Nation

The Mineral Fuels Department says Thailand and Vietnam's solution for the problem of overlapping sea territory is also best for a similar problem between the Kingdom and Cambodia regarding oil and gas exploration.

Director-general Kurujit Nakornthap said the model would benefit Cambodia more than other solutions would.

Thailand and Vietnam agreed to divide the overlapping area, with Thailand owning 67 per cent and Vietnam 33 per cent.

Kurujit said with a similar division between Thailand and Cambodia, the latter could enter into joint-venture agreements with private concessionaires and gain full technology transfers from them on its own without needing to discuss the matter with Thailand.

Thailand also solved a similar problem with Malaysia by setting up a joint juristic organisation to develop the entire area and share the benefits evenly. That area has been found to contain natural-gas reserves of 10 trillion cubic feet.

Kurujit said the problem of the overlapping territory between Thailand and Cambodia, amounting to 26,000 square kilometres, should be resolved quickly, as that would afford benefits to both countries in terms of gas-field development.

If the problem is prolonged indefinitely, both countries would lose business opportunities if other sources of energy, such as wind and solar power, became popular and inexpensive to produce in the interim. This would make the value of Thailand's existing but as-yet-untapped natural resources decline.

Thailand has already set up a committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban to solve this problem, but the two countries have yet to reach a conclusion. Meanwhile, neither one can allow companies holding concessions for oil and gas exploration in the area to operate.

Thailand granted rights to private companies to explore in the area in 1971, but a 1975 Cabinet resolution suspended exploration after learning it overlapped with Cambodia's territory.

Cambodia has also granted exploration rights to private companies, including Total.