Bangkok: The Director-General of the Treaty Department has provided an in-depth explanation of the advantages of MOU43, a vital framework designed for surveying and demarcating borders between Thailand and Cambodia. This agreement aims to create a new map in line with international standards, although the Director-General emphasized that abandoning the 1:200,000 scale map is not feasible, necessitating a new memorandum of understanding.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Benjamin Sukanjanatti, Director-General of the Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, together with Mr. Nikorndej Plangkura, Director-General of the Department of Information and spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussed the origins and significance of MOU43. This document serves as a negotiation framework between the Thai and Cambodian governments, originating from the Memorandum of Understanding on the Survey and Demarcation of the Land Boundary in 2000.
MOU43 is expected to benefit Thailand by providing a structured framework for joint surveys and demarcation, resulting in a practical map. The 1904 and 1907 Siam-France Treaties are used as foundational documents supporting this framework. These treaties guide the Boundary Demarcation Committee in mapping watersheds, rivers, and straight lines, leading to the establishment of MOU43 and the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) between the two nations.
The JBC’s responsibilities include surveying boundary markers, defining authority, and supervising the Technical Subcommittee (JTSC) tasked with field surveys and verifying the precise locations of all 74 boundary markers. The maps produced must then be submitted to Parliament for approval. MOU43 also mandates that both Thailand and Cambodia refrain from actions that could alter the border environment, to ensure accurate surveys.
Mr. Benjamin addressed calls to revoke MOU43, stressing the importance of the 1904 and 1907 Siam-France Treaties as the master plan for border details. Revoking these would necessitate starting over with existing documents or a new MOU, potentially MOU 68, in line with international standards. The MOU also emphasizes cooperation in clearing landmines to facilitate safe border surveys.
Following the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Commission (JBC) meeting in June, the JTSC was approved to survey 29 of the 74 boundary markers still under discussion. The JBC mechanism under MOU43 remains active, with initial efforts to survey and demarcate the border underway.