Bangkok: Senator Sawat and General Sawat have submitted a motion to the Senate, seeking a thorough discussion on the future of MOU 43-44. The motion calls for an evaluation of whether to retain or cancel the memorandum, which is pivotal in addressing the Thai-Cambodian border issue.
According to Thai News Agency, General Sawat Tasana, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Military and Security Affairs, emphasized the importance of assessing the pros and cons of MOU 2000 and MOU 2001. These agreements were originally aimed at resolving ongoing border disputes with Cambodia, particularly concerning the continental shelf line between Thailand's Koh Kood and Cambodia's Koh Kong. This line, established by a 1973 royal decree, has resulted in overlapping territorial claims and confusion due to non-compliance with legal requirements.
General Sawat announced the formation of a special committee to study the implications of maintaining or canceling the MOU. The committee will consist of 25 members, including 15 senators and 10 external academics with expertise in Thai-Cambodian border issues. The study is set to last 90 days. General Sawat refrained from commenting on allegations by independent senators, led by Dr. Premsak Piayura, that the motion was politically motivated. He maintained that the public should decide on the matter.
The motion was inspired by a previous secret Senate meeting on the border dispute, resulting in the decision to form a committee to explore the issue further. General Sawat addressed concerns over the timing of the motion, denying any connection to the Senate budget deadline. He stressed that the study is necessary due to varying opinions on the MOU and the involvement of knowledgeable outsiders in the committee to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.