Topology for Maritime Delimitation: Case study of judgments of International Courts

Abstract

Special circumstances for maritime delimitation can be considered as objective and subjective. The subjective circumstances are such as historical title, social life or economical profit in specific sea area for a long time. The subjective circumstances are arguable because they are unilaterally claimed. Length of coastlines, general direction of the coast, shape of the coast, islands or rock are objective circumstances which are naturally tangible and cannot be made up. Either International Court of Justice (ICJ) or International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) always objectively delineate the maritime boundary regarding coastlines, islands or rocks as special circumstances. This article aims at studying the result from judgments about maritime boundaries which are adjusted by topographic circumstances and comparing the topography between Thailand and neighboring coastal States for preparing maritime boundary negotiation.