Hun Sen wishes Thailand for a non-violent free election [-Did he ever wish the same to Cambodia?]

Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Prime minister Hun Sen sent a wish so that the national election in Thailand which will take place on 23 December, will be free and fair, neutral, and without violence on the Thai people. Hun Sen sent his wishes during his meeting with the Thai minister of foreign affairs, Nit Phibunsongkram, in Phnom Penh on 17 December. During this meeting, Hun Sen also sent his greetings to Surayut Chulanon, the Thai prime minister, and he wishes that the election in Thailand will be successful. Nit Phibunsongkram is visiting Cambodia for two days, between 16 and 17 December, in order to sign the agreement on the joint visa between the two countries.

Cambodia, Thailand sign visa pact to boost tourism

17 Dec, 2007
The Economic Times (India)

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia and Thailand on Monday signed a deal that will allow foreigners to visit both countries with a single visa, in a bid to boost tourism.

Once the pact is implemented, visitors will be able to apply at either a Thai or Cambodian embassy for the special visa, foreign minister Hor Namhong said.

"Tourists just apply for a single visa at one place, and they can travel to both Cambodia and Thailand," he said, adding that Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam could eventually sign up to the deal.

The pact was developed through the Ayeyawady-Chao Phya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), a joint development scheme that includes the five nations.

"Both of our countries will benefit," added Thai foreign minister Nitya Pibulsonggram.

Tourism is one of the few sources of foreign exchange for impoverished Cambodia, with 1.7 million visitors there Cambodia in 2006.

This however lags far behind Thailand, which is set to receive 14.8 million tourists this year.