AKP Phnom Penh, September 03, 2024 — Acting Head of State of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, has expressed his satisfaction with key cooperation areas between Cambodia and Thailand, mainly trade, tourism, education, and cultural preservation.

During a farewell meeting here at the Senate Palace this morning with outgoing Thai Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Cherdkiat Atthakor, Samdech Techo Hun Sen lauded the trade exchange between the two neighbouring countries and thanked the Thai government for its facilitation to Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand.

The Cambodian Acting Head of State also extended his gratitude to the Thai government for its attention to Cambodian human resource development and to Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for the establishment of Kampong Chheu Teal Institute of Technology in Kampong Thom province and Kampong Speu Institute of Technology in Kampong Speu province, as well as her annual scholarships granted to Cambodian students.

Regarding tourism, Samdech Te
cho Hun Sen mentioned the Visa 2 + X formula, initiated by former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He hoped that the governments of the two countries would discuss the issue, by starting with Cambodia and Thailand plus Laos and Myanmar.

Apart from the economic sector, he continued, the two Kingdoms must work together on cultural preservation, and strengthen their cooperation through various forums such as ACMECS (Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy), Greater Mekong Sub-region, ASEAN and RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership).

The Cambodian former Prime Minister suggested the Cambodian and Thai sides consider joint registration of some heritage, for example Sankranta (New Year), with Myanmar and Laos, which share similar religious belief and culture to avoid conflict on ownership. If we can register together, then it shows the solidarity and a good example for the next generation, he stressed.

For his part, H.E. Cherdkiat Atthakor spoke highly of the trade ties
between Cambodia and Thailand, and hoped that in the future, the relations in all fields between both nations will further fostered.

Thailand has become the sixth largest investor in Cambodia, the outgoing diplomat pointed out, underlining that Thai tourists rank first among foreign visitors to Cambodia.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse