Bangkok: PM Paethongtarn held bilateral discussions with PM Hun Manet to raise the level of suppression of online crimes, solve the PM 2.5 problem, confirm that Thailand gives importance to Cambodian workers, and is ready to cooperate to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Myanmar. Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, held a full-board discussion with Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The Prime Minister thanked the Cambodian Prime Minister and the Government of Cambodia for the warm welcome on the occasion of their official visit to Cambodia to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. She also emphasized that the Thai government attaches importance to friendship and tangible cooperation with Cambodia. She believes that amidst the uncertainties in politics and economy at the global level, Thailand and Cambodia, as close neighbors, will strengthen their cooperation and use this opportunity to push forw ard their strategic partnership.
According to Thai News Agency, on this occasion, the two leaders discussed important issues of relations and cooperation between each other. They will regularly exchange high-level visits and organize activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations throughout the year. They are also ready to jointly drive the strategic partnership between the two countries to be even closer. The Cambodian Prime Minister proposed that both sides co-chair the official opening ceremony of the first Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge (Ban Nong Ien - Stung Bot) at the end of the year.
The Prime Minister also proposed that the military and security agencies of both countries hold close discussions to promote trust, prevent misunderstandings, and maintain peace and stability in the border areas, especially to enhance cooperation with Cambodia to support the well-being of the people of both countries, especially by enhancing cooperation to suppress online scams between police and administrative agencies through sharing of evidence, preventing the use of internet and telecommunications signals for illegal activities, increasing border control measures, and preventing illegal immigration.
Including enhancing cooperation to solve the transboundary haze problem through the development of a joint monitoring and surveillance system, promoting the exchange of knowledge and good practices, especially in the areas of PM2.5 measurement and zero-burn farming.
In terms of trade and investment, both sides were pleased that bilateral trade in 2024 was worth more than 10 billion US dollars and agreed to set guidelines to increase the value of bilateral trade. On this occasion, Thailand and Cambodia will promote cooperation between the two chambers of commerce. Thailand and Cambodia also agreed to accelerate the Joint Trade Commission meeting between each other and promote special economic zones along the border, cooperation between the chambers of commerce of both countries, including facilitating the business operations of the Thai private sector in Cambodia, as well as close cooperation among ASEAN member countries to strengthen the region's economy to cope with external challenges.
The Prime Minister discussed the development of the border area, seeing the potential for growth and development of the border area between Thailand and Cambodia, and proposed that both parties jointly establish guidelines to link the special economic development zones of the two countries, and accelerate the establishment of a joint mechanism under the General Border Committee (GBC) to expedite the clearance of mines along the Thai-Cambodian border, which will help improve the quality of life of the people in the area.
As for connectivity, both sides should jointly develop rail freight services between the two countries to reduce costs and increase transport efficiency, as well as revive negotiations on an agreement on cross-border road transport to allow private vehicles to conveniently cross the border, including accelerating the development and improvement of Cambodia's Highways 67 and 68, which will be a route connecting trade and tourism between the two countries.
The Prime Minister said that in terms of tourism, both sides still have the potential to increase cooperation in tourism, such as improving the agreement on cross-border travel to allow longer stays in the country, increasing the number of temporary border passes, and Cambodia is willing to move forward with the concept of Six Countries, One Destination by organizing activities to promote cross-border tourism, possibly starting with coastal tourism in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
On the labor front, Thailand places importance on the contribution of Cambodian workers to driving the Thai economy, and the government has announced a waiver of the Re-Entry Permit fee for Cambodian workers who wish to return to the country during the Songkran festival. Labor agencies in both countries will work closely together to ensure that Cambodian workers are employed through legal channels so that they can access benefits and welfare.
The Prime Minister said that in terms of development cooperation, Thailand is ready to provide continuous development cooperation to Cambodia, especially in education, human resource development, and sustainable development. The Prime Minister emphasized the preparation of the next 3-year development cooperation plan as soon as possible and confirmed that Thailand is ready to support the construction of the Thai language department building at Phumin University, Phnom Penh and the training building of the Thai-Cambodian Skill Development Center. Both sides also agreed to support cooperation in soft power, which will help strengthen people-to-people relations and friendship.
In terms of regional cooperation, the Prime Minister believed that ASEAN should deepen economic integration in the region and enhance its ability to cope with external challenges. Thailand wanted to increase intra-ASEAN trade and investment, as well as strengthen economic partnerships with regional partners, especially China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and India. In addition, Thailand is ready to cooperate with Cambodia to strengthen economic connectivity within the Greater Mekong Subregion, which is a strategic link with China and the South Asian region.
At the end, the Prime Minister and the Cambodian Prime Minister exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar, agreeing that closer interaction with Myanmar could lead to positive developments in line with the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. Thailand has provided medical assistance and support for Myanmar's recovery from the earthquake, and is ready to cooperate with Cambodia in calling on all parties involved in the conflict in Myanmar to talk to each other to find a peaceful solution.