Cambodia, Thailand hammer out border issues to boost trade ties
Cambodia, Thailand hammer out border issues to boost trade ties
Amid the regional economic uncertainty, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) and the Royal Thai Government (RTG) Wednesday discussed mechanisms to accelerate the ‘Stung Bot-Ban Nong Ian’ border checkpoint aimed at boosting tourism flow and trade connectivity.
The unfinished business of this new border distanced about 9 kilometers southeast of Poipet town popped up during the meeting between Prime Minister Hun Manet and Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Thailand at the Peace Palace on October 23.
Anutin highlighted the deep-rooted and long-standing relations, stressing that the two nations share close geographical proximity, rich cultural similarities, and a tradition of being good neighbours.
Building on these concrete relations and cultural similarities, the Deputy Prime Minister committed to further boosting Thailand-Cambodia cooperation aimed at promoting greater development for the benefit of both countries.
Mr Hun Manet responded by appreciating the RTG for reducing the cost of the work permit application and its renewal and exempting the re-entry fee for Cambodian workers who visit their hometown during the Khmer New Year in mid-April.
The Premier told the visiting Thai leader about the RGC’s decision to permit Thai citizens living across the borders with Cambodia to freely visit Siem Reap province using only the border pass card.
In a bit to promote trade and tourism, Mr Hun Manet and Anutin engaged on the importance and demand to accelerate the opening of more border checkpoints, especially a new border crossing between Stung Bot village of Banteay Meanchey province and Sa Kaeo province of Thailand.
To maintain stability for business activities, the Premier and the Deputy Prime Minister are also keen on strengthening cooperation on defence and security, in particular on the suppression of transnational crime in order to ensure security and prosperity for the people living along the borders.
Mr Hun Manet expressed pleasure in the progress of strengthening the two countries’ relations and the achievements from bilateral collaboration.
It may be informed that during the Premier’s first official visit to Bangkok in February 2024, he discussed the economic development of border areas and overlapping maritime with Srettha Thavisin, then Prime Minister of Thailand.
On the occasion, Mr Hun Manet and Srettha witnessed the signing ceremony of several memoranda of understandings aimed at strengthening the transit of strategic products, export-import regulations and private-sector interaction for common interests.
Speaking to Khmer Times, Ly Sovannarith, Deputy Governor of Banteay Meanchey Province said that the new border gate at Stung Bot has been temporarily opened to facilitate the transportation of goods and products. However, he noted that the infrastructure on the Thai side of the border is not yet ready.
“In the meantime, the Thai authorities are still utilising the Poipet international border to conduct checks and approvals, although goods will be delivered through the Stung Bot border gate as the main border in town is primarily reserved for tourists and passengers,” he added.
The Deputy Governor stressed while Cambodia has operated this border for many years, “we yet can’t maximise productivity due to the pending projects on the other side.”
