Thailand and Cambodia Revisit Natural Gas Ambitions in Disputed Waters

TTEP / Nikkei Asia

In an article by Nikkei Asia, Toru Takahashi highlights the discussion between Thailand and Cambodia on securing energy security in the region amid global shift toward decarbonization.

The area in question spans more than 26,000 sq. kilometers in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand. No exploration activity has been conducted yet. But the presence of natural gas and crude oil there is seen as a virtual certainty, given its location near the Erawan and Bongkot gas fields, which have supplied much of Thailand's energy needs since the 1980s.

Thailand and Cambodia first signed an agreement in 2001 to explore developing energy resources in the area. Bilateral ties later deteriorated because of competing claims over the Temple of Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage site located along the countries' mountain border. The effects spilled over into their maritime dispute as well, and then-Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva unilaterally scrapped the joint exploration deal in 2009.

Thailand moved to resume discussions in 2011 only to be derailed by a military coup. Another attempt in 2019 faltered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By then, some had begun to believe