Thailand Political Protests Surround MOU 44

On December 9, 2023, Thailand witnessed growing political tensions as opposition leader Mr. Sondhi Limthongkul led a protest at Government House demanding the termination of MOU 44, an agreement with Cambodia on maritime resources. The protest coincided with the Prime Minister's preparations to present her government's performance report for the past three months on December 12. The opposition's call for action is aimed at protecting Thailand's sovereignty over its territorial waters and aims to hold the government accountable. Sondhi's protest included six demands: preserving national sovereignty, referring MOU 44 to the Constitutional Court for review, engaging in fair negotiations, re-establishing Joint Technical Committees, and promoting public involvement in decision-making. The growing unrest reflects fears among many citizens regarding potential losses from international agreements, echoing past political struggles in the country. Notably, tensions exist not only domestically but also at the Thai-Myanmar border, where the Wa army had issued warnings, marking an increase in military preparedness. The upcoming governmental announcements and the reopening of parliament on December 12 could be significant in shaping Thailand's political climate.