Thailand border threat pushes Cambodia to ratify UN sea treaty after over 40 years

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Maria SiowJanuary 27, 2026 at 06:23 AM

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Cambodia ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) on January 16, becoming the last ASEAN member to do so after signing it in 1983. The decision comes after over 40 years and follows approval by the National Assembly, pending Senate sign-off. Analysts suggest Cambodia's ratification was prompted by a "threat assessment" of Thailand, including concerns that the Thai navy might close supply lanes in the Gulf of Thailand, amid deadly land border clashes. Unclos, a multilateral treaty resulting from the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, entered into force in 1994.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Senate 30% USS Cincinnati 35% Ream Naval Base 40% National Assembly 40% United States 40% Asean 50% Thailand Navy 60% Phnom Penh 60% Gulf of Thailand 70% Thailand ×290% United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) ×495% Cambodia ×4100%

Keywords

un convention on the law of the sea 100% maritime treaty 80% cambodia 80% thailand border threat 70% ratification 70% gulf of thailand 60% supply lanes 50% asean 40%