World
Cambodia and Thailand Start Talks Over Sea Border Dispute
The two neighbors are using the United Nations to try and settle a long-standing argument over who owns which parts of the ocean.
A map showing the overlapping maritime claims between Cambodia and Thailand in the Gulf of Thailand.
By John Doe
Reporting from Cambodia 
Sept. 15, 2026, 12:54 p.m. - 20 hours ago
Cambodia and Thailand have started official talks to solve a disagreement over the sea. They are arguing about where the border lies in the water. Both countries want rights to the area because there is likely oil and gas hidden under the sea floor.
Because they cannot agree on their own, they have asked the United Nations to help them. This process is called conciliation. Think of it like a neutral referee helping two people work out a fight so they don't end up in a big legal battle.
Right now, the mood is tense. Thailand has told the people helping them that Cambodia is "playing the victim." This means Thailand feels that Cambodia is acting like they are being treated unfairly to make themselves look better to the rest of the world.
Both sides want to claim the same patch of ocean. They have been arguing about this for a long time. These new talks are a big step toward finally deciding who gets to use that water and the energy resources beneath it.
Source: Reuters
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