One border, two maps possible glitch in Thai-Cambodian boundary talks

PHNOM PENH: -- Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon said he expects progress this week in boundary demarcation and visa exemption talks with Cambodia as the fifth meeting of the

Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission opened here Tuesday.

However, the four-day bilateral commission meeting -- scheduled for Feb 7-10 -- may not resolve outstanding border issues, as the two sides have different maps of the same border.

Speaking before meeting Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong at the Inter Continental Hotel in Phnom Penh Wednesday morning, Dr. Kantathi said he hoped for quick progress in agreeing on the mutual boundary as it would benefit both sides.

Dr. Kantathi said the demarcation should be carried out in accordance with international laws, in a fair, equitable, and comprehensive treatment.

"The problem now is the two sides hold two different maps," Dr. Kanthati said. "It's a technical problem that needs an urgent resolution."

A team from the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Boundary Commission has been asked to resolve the demarcation issue to prevent boundary problems along the entire stretch of the two countries common land boundary--but the survey and demarcation process is still incomplete.

In addition to boundary resolution, Mr. Kanthati said, this week's meeting will include signing a protocol on visa exemptions for Thai and Cambodian official passport holders. He further said he hoped an

agreement on visa exemption for all Thais and Cambodians would be reached soon.

The foreign minister also noted that he and Cambodia's Information Minister Khiew Kanharith would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thai-Cambodian co-operation in information technology and radio and television broadcasting.

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni will grant an audience to the Thai foreign minister, who is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Hun Sen later in the visit.

Questioned about two Thai Muslims who were convicted and sentenced to life in a Cambodian prison in 2004 for their part in a plot to blow up the American and British embassies here in 2002, the foreign minister said he asked the Thai ambassador in Cambodia to deal with this issue and the case is still on appeal.

Three men were convicted, two Thais and an indigenous Cambodian Muslim, the Thai diplomat said. All are believed to be involved with Jemaah Islamiyah, an al Qaeda-linked terrorist network in Southeast

--TNA 2006-02-08

Thailand and Cambodia conclude agreement to abolish visas for official papers

The Thai and Cambodian Kingdoms have concluded an agreement to abolish visas for official papers and a signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding on information-sharing and radio-television cooperation.

The Thai delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) yesterday met with the Cambodian counterpart led by deputy prime minister and foreign minister Hor Namhong in the bilateral meeting titled the '5th Thai-Cambodian Bilateral Cooperation Meeting' held in Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.

The meeting discussed the progress of several joint projects initiated in the past, while integrating better methods for current projects in an effort to sustainably strengthen the 2 countries' relationship in the future.

Other prominent framework includes cooperations in education, culture and tradition, public health, environment, drug eradication, tourism, investment, labour, destruction of Unexploded Ordnance and long-term stewardship, and exploration and demarcation.

Speaking after the meeting, Minister Kantathi revealed that the meeting held was a reflection to the 2 countries' future of friendship, adding that this year (2006) is marked the 55th anniversary of the diplomatic relation between the 2 close Kingdoms.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 Febuary 2006