On 29 December 2011, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, accompanied by Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan, paid an official visit to Cambodia to follow up on issues agreed upon by both sides during the official visit to Cambodia by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on 15 September 2011. During the visit, both Ministers paid a courtesy call on Somdech Hun Sen, the Cambodian Prime Minister, during which many issues were discussed, including the issue of overlapping maritime claims, cooperation on energy and electricity generation, sports and development cooperation. The opening of a new international check point in Sa Kaeo Province of Thailand and Banteay Meanchey Province of Cambodia and the problem of illegal logging along the Thai — Cambodian border were also discussed.
Earlier that same day, the Foreign Minister also met with Mr. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, whereby both sides discussed preparation for the Thai — Cambodian Joint Commission (JC) meeting to be hosted by Thailand in 2012, the implementation of the ICJ’s order on provisional measures, development cooperation, the issue of overlapping maritime claims and Cambodia's upcoming Chairmanship of ASEAN.
After their meeting, a joint press conference was held, during which the Foreign Minister expressed his satisfaction with the talks. He stressed that both sides held discussions in a sincere manner in a warm and friendly atmosphere, thus charting a new era of bilateral relations between Thailand and Cambodia as agreed upon by Prime Ministers of both countries. While underscoring the importance of development cooperation in all areas, both sides would endeavour to address pending issues through all existing mechanisms and not let these issues affect cooperation in other areas. The Foreign Minister also reaffirmed that Thailand would comply with the ICJ’s order for provisional measures which both sides should implement in a transparent, equitable and verifiable manner as reflected in the results of the 8th General Boundary Committee (GBC) meeting, co-chaired by the Defence Ministers of both countries.
Furthermore, the Foreign Minister reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to fully support and cooperate with Cambodia, as the latter assumes the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2012. Thailand stood ready to work towards the increased prosperity of ASEAN as well as to support cooperative endeavours, especially in the area of disaster management.
Later the same day, the Foreign Minister met with Mr. Veera Somkwamkid’s mother and Ms. Ratree Pipattanapaibun’s brother who expressed their understanding that it would take some time to help both persons. The Foreign Minister instructed the Thai Ambassador to Cambodia to further discuss with the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation the possibility of an exchange of prisoners as proposed by Cambodia.
During the visit, the Foreign Minister also visited the Cambodian — Thai Vocational Training Centre, which was established with Thai support. The Centre has already trained more than 3,800 Cambodian workers to date. In this regard, the Cambodian side requested additional Thai support in building a dormitory and sports field at the Centre, which the Thai side would consider in further detail.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th