Delimitation of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf between Vietnam and Thailand

In the long history, Thailand and Vietnam have established a mutually developing bilateral relationship. Thailand has an embassy in the capital Hanoi , similarly, Vietnam also has an embassy in Bangkok, both countries are members of the ASEAN association. However, the bilateral relationship between the two countries only began to flourish after the official visit of Prime Minister Pham Van Dong to Thailand in September 1978. During the period of 1979 - 1989, due to the political instability in the region and the world, which had a significant impact on the Vietnam - Thailand relationship, the two countries encountered difficulties in further developing their political - diplomatic relations.

Vietnam shows a flexible stance in applying the theory of a single maritime boundary. Illustrative photo.

Originating from the desire to strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries; aiming to establish the maritime boundary between the two countries in the Gulf of Thailand in the overlapping area created by the continental shelf claims of the two countries; Vietnam and Thailand demarcate the maritime boundary between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Kingdom of Thailand in the overlapping area created by the continental shelf claims of the two countries as a straight line connecting Point C and Point K determined by specific latitude and longitude Point C: Latitude 07 ⁰ 49'00".0000 North, Longitude 103 ⁰ 02'30".0000 East, Point K: Latitude 08 ⁰ 46'54".7754 North; Longitude 102 ⁰ 12'11".5342 East. Point C is the northernmost point of the Joint Development Zone established under the Agreement between the Kingdom of Thailand and Malaysia on the Establishment of a Joint Authority for the Exploitation of Seabed Resources in the Overlapping Continental Shelf Area between the Two Countries in the Gulf of Thailand, signed at Chiang Mai on 21 February 1979, and coincides with Point 43 of the continental shelf claim line announced by Malaysia in 1979.

Welcoming ceremony of the Vietnam People's Navy Region 5 delegation at Songkhla port, Thailand. (Photo: VNA)

Point K is a point on the maritime boundary between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Kingdom of Cambodia, that is, a straight line equidistant between Tho Chu Island and Vai Island drawn from point O (latitude 09 ⁰ 35'.00".4159 North and longitude 103 ⁰ 10'15".9808 East). The coordinates of the points determined in the above Clauses are geographical coordinates calculated on British Chart No. 2414, the coordinate system used for measurement and calculation established on Ellipsoid Everest-1830-Indian Datum. The maritime boundary shall be the boundary between the continental shelf of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the continental shelf of the Kingdom of Thailand, and shall also be the boundary between the exclusive economic zone of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the exclusive economic zone of the Kingdom of Thailand. Upon request by either Government , the actual position at sea of ​​the above-mentioned points C and K and of the straight line connecting these points shall be determined by agreement between cartographers appointed by the two Governments. Vietnam and Thailand shall negotiate with the Government of Malaysia to resolve the overlapping continental shelf area between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Kingdom of Thailand and Malaysia, which is located within the Joint Development Zone established under the Agreement between the Kingdom of Thailand and Malaysia on the Establishment of the Joint Authority for the Exploitation of Seabed Resources in the Overlapping Continental Shelf Area between the Two Countries in the Gulf of Thailand. Vietnam and Thailand recognize and acknowledge the jurisdiction and sovereign rights of each country over the continental shelf and exclusive economic zone according to the maritime boundary. In case there is an oil or natural gas structure, or other mineral deposits lying across the boundary line, they will inform each other of all relevant information and agree on the most effective way to exploit the above structures or deposits, and the profits from exploitation will be shared fairly. Up to now, the two countries have signed many agreements and cooperation agreements in various fields, creating a favorable legal basis to contribute to promoting bilateral cooperation. In particular, the senior leaders of the two countries have always closely directed the implementation of cooperation in all fields agreed upon in the Action Program to implement the Strategic Partnership for the period of 2014 - 2018 between Vietnam and Thailand, achieving many good results.

Kim Oanh