Bangkok: Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, advisor to the Thai Phakdee Party, has urged the government to reject any agreements that acknowledge overlapping maritime claims at Koh Kood, warning that such acceptance could result in a loss of sovereignty for Thailand. He emphasized that the public is closely monitoring the situation due to national pride and fear of betrayal by government officials.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Warong expressed concerns about the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the sharing of maritime benefits, which he believes unfairly favors Cambodia. He criticized the Thai government’s acceptance of a maritime boundary proposed by Cambodia, questioning the decision to recognize the line that excludes maritime areas surrounding Koh Kood. Dr. Warong argued that by allowing these overlapping claims, the government risks repeating past territorial losses, such as the case of Khao Prawihan.
Dr. Warong further elaborated that discussions with legal experts have reinforced his con
cerns about the potential for Thailand to lose maritime territory. He warned that if the government proceeds with the current agreement, it might face significant disadvantages in international legal disputes. The advisor suggested that Koh Kood serves as a diversion from the real issue, which is the potential loss of maritime territory due to the acceptance of overlapping claims. He urged the government to reconsider its stance to protect Thailand’s territorial integrity.