- May 4, 2021
- 3,004
To: <Ministry of International Affairs of the Sultanate of Egypt> Kelly the Mad From: <Sarabun@mfa.mail.go.th> Subject: Thailand’s Call for Egypt’s Immediate Compliance with International Law Security Type: NSST 1.0 Architecture | Secret and Encrypted |
To the Ministry of International Affairs of Egypt,
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Thailand extends its shameless greeting to the Ministry of International Affairs of the Sultan of Egypt and writes to address a matter of utmost gravity concerning adherence to international law.
As unequivocally affirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the advisory opinion on the right of passage through the Suez Canal (ICJ/AO/0002), Thailand demands Egypt's immediate compliance with the following principles, each of which must be observed to maintain the integrity of international law and the sanctity of sovereign equality:
Thailand reaffirms its enduring commitment to the rule of law and the collective responsibility of nations to ensure its observance. We expect Egypt to demonstrate its dedication to these shared ideals through immediate and full compliance with its legal obligations.
Yours Sincerely,
Surakiart Sathirathai
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Thailand
As unequivocally affirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the advisory opinion on the right of passage through the Suez Canal (ICJ/AO/0002), Thailand demands Egypt's immediate compliance with the following principles, each of which must be observed to maintain the integrity of international law and the sanctity of sovereign equality:
- The "principle of freedom of transit through the Suez Canal" has been recognized as customary international law and must be upheld without discrimination or obstruction.
- The foundational principles of the 1888 Constantinople Convention govern the operation of the Suez Canal and obligate all states to ensure free, impartial, and uninterrupted passage under all circumstances.
- Sovereign equality, a cornerstone of international law, guarantees that every state enjoys inherent rights independent of external recognition or interference. Thailand insists that these rights be respected in full.
- Access to the canal must be restricted only under extraordinary and narrowly justified conditions, such as threats to national security or force majeure, in accordance with international legal standards.
- In the absence of a formal state of war or binding international court judgment to the contrary, there exists no lawful basis for the imposition of a blockade against the Socialist Republic of Thailand or its vessels.
Thailand reaffirms its enduring commitment to the rule of law and the collective responsibility of nations to ensure its observance. We expect Egypt to demonstrate its dedication to these shared ideals through immediate and full compliance with its legal obligations.
Yours Sincerely,
Surakiart Sathirathai
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Thailand
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