Thai PM embarks on first official visit to Cambodia
Published on: Thursday, September 28, 2023
By: Bernama
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin walking through Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. (AFP)
BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s first official visit to Cambodia will forge a new phase in bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation between the two neighbouring countries. He is scheduled to arrive in Cambodia on Thursday.Srettha, who assumed office on August 22, will meet with his counterpart Hun Manet in his capacity as prime minister for the first time.ADVERTISEMENT
Thai Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke highlighted that this visit is a crucial component of Srettha’s introduction to the countries in the ASEAN region. This visit underscores the importance of regional cooperation.
“They will have a dialogue on economic cooperation for the interest of the people of the two countries, especially an increase of mutual trade volume to US$15 billion (RM70.58 billion) by 2025.
“The two prime ministers are also expected to discuss the upgrade of Thailand-Cambodia border crossing points, development of rail transport, and promotion of border tourism, including the introduction of temporary land transport border passes to facilitate travellers who are travelling without a passport,” he said in a statement.
Chai mentioned that Srettha will also address the development of border areas and related issues, such as transnational crime, border demining, and call centre scams.ADVERTISEMENT
“The prime minister will also engage in discussions with the Cambodian counterpart on labour cooperation, energy security, people-to-people relations, technical cooperation, and cooperation for the development between Thailand and Cambodia,” he affirmed.
In the meantime, the Foreign Ministry expressed that this visit will mark the commencement of a new chapter in the robust partnership between Thailand and Cambodia under the leadership of both newly appointed prime ministers.
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“The official visit will reaffirm their commitment to further strengthening the existing friendship and close cooperation in all dimensions, especially closer economic cooperation and the development of border areas, to uplift the well-being of the people in both countries,” the ministry stated.
Hun Manet was sworn in as the new Cambodia Prime Minister for a five-year term (2023-2028) last month after winning a vote of confidence in the parliament.
Hun Manet, 45, succeeded his 71-year-old father Hun Sen, who stepped down after having held the position for more than 38 years.
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