Thailand, Cambodia To Speed Up Acmecs

[churchill]

BANGKOK, Aug 5 (TNA) - Thailand and Cambodia on Wednesday agreed to speed up a single visa plan under the Ayeyawaddy-Mekong-Chao Phraya Economic Cooperation (ACMECS) grouping, to boost tourism between the two neighbours.

Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya leading the Thai delegation and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong met in the 6th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia (JC) held here on Wednesday.

The ministers told a joint news conference that their countries agreed to hasten the ACMECS Single Visa plan so that foreign visitors with a visa to either country can travel in both without having to apply for another entry visa.

The single visa is aimed at boosting tourism in both countries.

ACMECS since 2003 has joined Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam cooperatively to use their varied strengths to promote balanced development in the sub-region.

Mr. Hor Namhong said the meeting also considered opening a new permanent border crossing between Thailand's Sa Keao and Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey provinces.

The Cambodian minister said the new crossing will ease transport of agricultural produce between the countries.

For the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, Mr Hor Namhong said, the countries will sign an agreement on visa exemptions for holders of ordinary passports.

The Cambodian foreign minister said the agreement will facilitate travel within the two kingdoms by their citizens, and help promote a better understanding and relationship.

The ministers also inked a pact on transferring sentenced persons and co-operation in enforcing prison sentences.

The agreement is aimed at boosting cooperation and improved law enforcement and judicial administration in both countries, and to benefit prisoners on humanitarian grounds.

Regarding the border clash between Thailand and Cambodia after last year’s listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), both countries agreed to solve the conflict at the Joint Border Commission (JBC).

The Joint Technical Committee will also speed the negotiations over the overlapping maritime area, as earlier agreed by their leaders.

The Thai minister said the joint commission meeting also agreed to resolve the landmine problem along the shared border as soon as possible.

"After the development of Highway Route 68 connecting Kralanh with the town of O'Smach near the Thai border, trades and investment between Thailand and Cambodia will be carried out with convenience and more safety," said Mr Kasit.

The Thai Cabinet earlier approved a Bt1.4 billion (US$ 41.2 million) soft loan to Cambodia for upgrading its Highway Route 68 under a 30-year contract. (TNA)

-- TNA 05/08/09http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=11164

[Soutpeel]

The ministers told a joint news conference that their countries agreed to hasten the ACMECS Single Visa plan so that foreign visitors with a visa to either country can travel in both without having to apply for another entry visa.

The single visa is aimed at boosting tourism in both countries.

Interesting...as one of two things will happen if this comes into fruition....Staying long term will become easier in Thailand or staying long term in Cambodia will become a lot harder... ....wonder how they figure that one out...

[jackdanielsesq]

I am figuring long term becomes easier for Farang in Penang?!

BR>Jack

Interesting...as one of two things will happen if this comes into fruition....Staying long term will become easier in Thailand or staying long term in Cambodia will become a lot harder... ....wonder how they figure that one out...

[Soutpeel]

Farang in Penang?!

...JD great title for a song...

[farangpattaya]

Farang in Penang?!

...JD great title for a song...

Does that mean, that in case of a visa-borderrun, a Cambodian visa isn't needed anymore?

[PoorSucker]

Farang in Penang?!

...JD great title for a song...

Does that mean, that in case of a visa-borderrun, a Cambodian visa isn't needed anymore?

Can you then apply for tourist visa to Thailand in Cambodia as you don't need one?

And will the even stamp your passport at the border?

Edited August 6, 2009 by PoorSucker

[dale8]

Hello, it will be good for tourism for both countries if they can promote the single visa heavily. The governments are wise to be talking more about the problems they share, and any resolve that does not include killing people close to a temple should make people fear less so they can get on with their life. Cheers.

[animatic]

And when the Thai - Cambo Oil War 1 and 2 light off,

it will be easier to find good bargaining chip hostages too!

[astral]

Can you then apply for tourist visa to Thailand in Cambodia as you don't need one?

And will the even stamp your passport at the border?

That could really screw up the whole Visa Run situation.

[churchill]

Single visa on horizon after talks in Bangkok

Friday, 07 August 2009 15:02 Vong Sokheng .

CAMBODIA and Thailand have agreed to speed up plans to provide a single tourist visa in a bid to increase visitors to the two countries, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Wednesday.

"We have signed an agreement, and we promised to push for the implementation of the plan as soon as possible, since our tourism industry has been hit by the global financial crisis," he told reporters following his return from bilateral talks in Bangkok.

In a further bid to boost tourism, he said, the two countries are also considering opening a new border crossing between Banteay Meanchey province and Thailand's Sa Keo province.

Hor Namhong said that the Poipet-Aranyaprathet border crossing was providing difficulties for tourists because of the volume of trade that crosses the border daily.

Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said Thursday that the joint tourist visa would bring both countries benefits by boosting tourism, and that the neighbours also plan to create visa exemptions for each other's citizens from 2010.

http://ow.ly/15KaDe