Territorial Shifts along the Moei River with the Implications for State Sovereignty
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Abstract
This article examines the legal and geopolitical implications of the shifting boundary along the Moei River, which serves as the natural frontier between Thailand and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Through documentary research and analysis based on principles of international law concerning natural boundary delimitation, the Thalweg Principle, accretion, and avulsion, the study finds that the river’s transformation is complex in both physical and legal dimensions, with significant social consequences for border communities. A notable case involves approximately 340 rai of disputed land, where Thai citizens have long resided and engaged in agriculture. This contested are a has become a sensitive point of sovereignty and security due to the absence of a clearly defined boundary, raising the risk of political and military disputes. The article argues for the necessity of bilateral cooperation mechanisms and policy frameworks that safeguard the rights of local populations while preserving Thailand’s territorial sovereignty and minimizing the long-term risk of international conflict.
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