By Phusadee Arunmas
Bangkok Post
Oct. 17--Renewed hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia over disputed land near the Preah Vihear temple threaten to stall regional tourism development plans, according to the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
A study under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (Acmecs) was recently completed and was to have been submitted to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. But that plan is now on hold, according to Niyom Waiyaratchapanich, chairman of the chamber's committee on neighbouring country trade promotion.
The tourism development plan was to focus mainly on developing the potential of new roads through two border checkpoints: Poi Pet, opposite Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo; and Chong Sangam, opposite Surin province.
A 150-km road upgrade from Poi Pet to the Angkor Thom temple, supported by the Asian Development Bank, will be completed by the end of this year, while a 150-km road via Chong Sangam is to be completed in April.
Under the development plan, Thailand and Cambodia had also agreed to set up a single visa programme for tourists, similar to the existing Thailand-Laos arrangement.
According to Mr Niyom, the plan could help raise the number of tourists visiting from Thailand to Cambodia above one million a year, resulting in more tourism income for Phnom Penh.
Figures from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) show that 35,796 Thai nationals visited Cambodia in 2007, up 14.5 percent over the previous year, mainly for tourism and business. Meanwhile, 108,776 Cambodians visited Thailand, down 13.2 percent, due mainly to a sharp rise in the baht. Cambodia uses the US dollar as its main currency.
A study under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (Acmecs) was recently completed and was to have been submitted to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. But that plan is now on hold, according to Niyom Waiyaratchapanich, chairman of the chamber's committee on neighbouring country trade promotion.
The tourism development plan was to focus mainly on developing the potential of new roads through two border checkpoints: Poi Pet, opposite Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo; and Chong Sangam, opposite Surin province.
A 150-km road upgrade from Poi Pet to the Angkor Thom temple, supported by the Asian Development Bank, will be completed by the end of this year, while a 150-km road via Chong Sangam is to be completed in April.
Under the development plan, Thailand and Cambodia had also agreed to set up a single visa programme for tourists, similar to the existing Thailand-Laos arrangement.
According to Mr Niyom, the plan could help raise the number of tourists visiting from Thailand to Cambodia above one million a year, resulting in more tourism income for Phnom Penh.
Figures from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) show that 35,796 Thai nationals visited Cambodia in 2007, up 14.5 percent over the previous year, mainly for tourism and business. Meanwhile, 108,776 Cambodians visited Thailand, down 13.2 percent, due mainly to a sharp rise in the baht. Cambodia uses the US dollar as its main currency.
5 comments:
The less Thai involvement in Cambodia and the better Cambodia will be!
Business is business but when business involves with politic and the Thai need to get the fuck out from Cambodia!
The problem is also with current Khmer leader who want to show off against historical aggressor. The incident would not have happened if the government requested the UN for intervention in July. It's not too late to request for their help in order to avoid bloodshed. Either side is Khmer. Only Khmer surins are in frontline. That's reason why Khmer didn't kill those captured soldiers. My concern is that many young Cambodians quited their school to enlist for military service. We need them to build a strong Cambodia if peace can be achieved. Hun Sen should wake up and go for UN or EU's help. You can still go for golfing, digging wells for the poor, and let the UN do the job.
Thai's Bankok Post and The Nation are very good at spreading the lies and bias news. They print something to deliberately hurt Cambodia.
Vanak
Only the fucking ignorant thais themself thought they can get away from it. The true was those motherf*cker ignorant PAD who started it. They knew, it was coming, but did they care? No! like a child who would stump their feet for what they want. That motherf*cking child needs to be thrown in the river. Now their motherf*cking coountry and ours were in to this. Hell! they probably laughing at the stock market that was coming down and the dead bobies of our people too. Why? because they were out of their God damm mind!
I think the main problem with Thai invading/encroachment is the Thai King and his cabinet. Thai king control everything in the background. He sends his black uniform army into Cambodia. He's dying of cancer and his. He's no good son of a bitch. He band youtube in Thaland because some one embassasses him on youtube. He creates caos in Thailand now. He makes them turn on each other to distract the khmer invasion. This guy is very tricky. Khmer don't be fooled by this king.
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