Acting Head of State Hun Sen Tuesday expressed satisfaction with the growing trade volume between Cambodia and Thailand.
Mr Hun Sen made the remarks during a meeting with Cherdkiat Atthakor, Ambassador of Thailand to Cambodia, who paid a farewell visit to the Senate. He expressed his pleasure meeting with Ambassador Atthakor who is leaving Cambodia after the end of his mission in Cambodia.
Ambassador Atthakor hoped that all-round relations between the two countries would further improve. The news statement posted on Mr Hun Sen’s social media read, “Our two countries have close ties. [He] also expressed satisfaction over the two countries’ trade relations, which have been remarkably expanded.”
According to the ambassador, Thailand has become the sixth largest investor in Cambodia, and the number of Thai tourists ranks first. He hoped that Thai tourists would continue to visit Cambodia, especially Siem Reap province.
The news statement said, “Acting Head of State was satisfied that the relationship between our two countries has grown and thanked the ambassador for facilitating the visit of the former Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, to Cambodia and by arranging the visit of Prime Minister Hun Manet to Thailand, where we have promoted relations to a strategic partnership.”
“We are neighbouring countries with similar cultures and customs. Thanks to Thailand for becoming an important partner in investing in Cambodia.”
Mr Hun Sen said that travelling between the two countries must be more open so that the people of the two countries have the opportunity to visit and explore, as well as medical check-ups.
In particular, Thailand has become an important reference for neighbouring countries such as Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia to find affordable medical services. Thailand also has many hospitals along the border with Cambodia that should be increased.
Mr Hun Sen is very happy to know that the trade volume between the two countries has increased and Cambodian farmers along the border have the opportunity to sell agricultural products to Thailand.
He also said that besides the economic sector, the two countries need to jointly contribute to the preservation of culture. There are other forums such as ACMECS, Mekong, ASEAN and RCEP, which Cambodia and Thailand need to strengthen cooperation.
According to the Thai Commerce Ministry, in the first half of 2024, trade between Cambodia and Thailand was $5.19 billion, a 20.52 percent increase year over year.
