Foreign Ministry defends the merits of MOU 43

The Treaties and Legal Department of the Foreign Ministry today defended the merits of the controversial MOU 43 between Thailand and Cambodia, amidst repeated calls by nationalist groups for its revocation, claiming that the document places Thailand at a disadvantage.

Addressing the media today, the department’s director-general, Benjamin Sukanjanajtee, said that MOU 43 is the blueprint, which sets the framework for agreements and mechanisms in border demarcation for joint surveys and the erection of border markers in the creation of a practical map, based on the 1904 and 1907 Siam-Franco treaties.

He also said that the treaties refer to the creation of a border demarcation committee in the creation of a map, in compliance with the principles of watersheds, rivers and straight borderlines.

MOU 43, he continued, mandates the duties of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) in border demarcation, the drawing up of a blueprint, the designation of the authority and the areas for demarcation of the Joint Technical Subcommittee (JTSC).

He said the JTSC will conduct a field survey, to ascertain the exact locations of the 74 border markers in the creation of a map, which both Thailand and Cambodia can both use after it is approved by their respective parliaments.

MOU 43, he added, mandates that Thailand and Cambodia must refrain from doing anything which may change the border landscape in a way which could impact the border survey, such as the digging of trenches and positioning of troops.

If there is any problem regarding the interpretation of MOU 43, he said the two sides are required to settle their difference bilaterally, adding that the document also mandates that the two countries cooperate in mine clearance efforts.

Benjamin warned that, even if MOU 43 is revoked, Thailand is still obligated by the 1:200,000 scale map.