At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, paid an Official Visit to Thailand during 23-24 February 2023.

During the visit, H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn held a bilateral discussion with H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and paid a courtesy call on His Excellency General (Ret.) Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, at the Government House.   

Both sides were pleased with the excellent bilateral relations between Thailand and Cambodia with strong friendship at both Leader and people levels, as well as growing cooperation in all areas of common interest. Both sides were particularly pleased with fast-growing bilateral trade and investment and tourism, which directly benefit peoples of both countries.

Trade between Thailand and Cambodia grew almost 23 percent from 8 billion US dollar in 2021 to 9.8 billion US dollar in 2022. Thai investment in Cambodia grew to over 2 billion US dollar in 2022, while Cambodia’s investment in Thailand increased to 130 million US dollar, or over 8 percent growth.

With over 850,000 Thais visiting Cambodia in 2022, Thai visitors were the largest group of foreign visitors to Cambodia last year, while almost 400,000 Cambodians visited Thailand during the same period.

Both sides believed that there are a lot more potentials for the two countries in the future, and recognised the need for neighbouring countries to combine strengths in order to be stronger and more resilient amidst uncertainties in global political and economic situations. To this end, both sides will further advance the Partnership for Peace and Prosperity between the two countries as follows:

• Closer Connectivity for Common Prosperity

Both sides will work to synergise the strengths and potentials of Thai and Cambodian economies through closer connectivity in all dimensions. Both countries will work closely to harmonise rules and regulations, and ensure smoother trade facilitation in order to achieve the bilateral trade target of 15 billion US dollar by 2025, as well as to increase the supply chain connectivity between the two countries.

Both sides will strive to enhance physical connectivity between Thailand and Cambodia, which will stimulate greater economic activities and uplift the well-being of peoples of both countries. 

During this visit, Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai and Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn presided over a ceremony to officially mark the soft opening of Thailand-Cambodia Friendship Bridge (Ban Nong Ian – Stung Bot) connecting Sa Kaeo Province of Thailand and Banteay Meanchey Province of Cambodia. This is an important milestone and opens a new chapter for greater connectivity and common prosperity between the two countries. This Friendship Bridge, the first between Thailand and Cambodia, will be the main channel for over 60 percent of Thailand – Cambodia border trade, which previously depended on the congested Ban Khlong Luek – Poi Pet International Point of Entry. It will significantly boost the transportation of goods between Thailand and Cambodia, and along the Southern Economic Corridor.

Both sides also attached importance to enhancing financial cooperation and banking connectivity, especially the possible expansion of the cross-border QR code payment service, which has been fully operationalised since November 2022, to cover more types of transaction, including remittances of Cambodian workers in Thailand.  

• Closer Cooperation for Common Peace and Prosperity

Both sides attached high importance to the maintenance of peace and stability along the Thai – Cambodian border. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation between the security agencies of the two countries at all levels through regular visits and close coordination to address common issues of concern. They will work together to advance cooperation on the issue of survey and demarcation of land boundary, which will benefit the people.

In particular, both sides agreed to work closely, at bilateral and regional levels, to tackle the fast-growing problem of call center and cyber scams. The Thai side proposed the setting up of a joint task force, consisting of relevant agencies of Thailand and Cambodia, to effectively address the problem. Thailand and Cambodia will work closely with other countries in ASEAN and beyond to combat this transnational crime that affects people from many countries.    

Both sides also discussed ways to expedite humanitarian demining along the Thai – Cambodian border, as agreed by the Leaders of the two countries. The Thai side proposed 10 pilot areas and looks forward to starting this cooperation as early as possible in order to ensure the safety of people in these border areas.  

In response to the fire incident in Poi Pet in December 2022, both sides agreed to work on an MoU on disaster and emergency response to enhance joint preparedness for any emergency in the future.

• Closer People-to-People Ties for Long-Lasting Friendship

Both sides attached high importance to promoting understanding and friendship at the people-to-people level, especially among young people of Thailand and Cambodia, through more educational and cultural exchanges. This will constitute a lasting foundation for Thailand – Cambodia relations in the future.

Both sides will also work closely on development cooperation and sustainable development that benefit the people and will continue to look for ways to further enhance cooperation on many areas that are important for the well-being of the people.

• Closer Partnership for Regional Peace and Prosperity

Both sides underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation among countries of the Mekong Sub-region through ACMECS and expressed desire to see continued progress under this framework. Both sides also emphasised the importance of maintaining ASEAN solidarity and centrality in addressing challenges that are of importance to the region. Both countries will closely coordinate to advance ASEAN cooperation in all dimensions. 

Thailand appreciated Cambodia for supporting Thailand’s candidature to host the Expo 2028 in Phuket.