• 
• 

Published on December 18, 2007

Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong signed the pact to facilitate travel and boost tourism to the two nations.

The new visa arrangement was agreed under the economic development framework of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS).

Set up in 2003, ACMECS includes Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.

Foreign ministers of the countries agreed in Siem Reap in August 2005 to allow Thailand and Cambodia to implement the scheme first, with the remaining members to join later if it is successful.

Visitors can apply for the Thailand-Cambodia visa at the embassies of either country.

However, the two countries will not allow opportunists such as terrorists to take advantage of the single visa to pose a security threat, said Nitya.

"We have discussed the security aspect and will take the necessary steps in that regard. If we broaden cooperation, the single visa will benefit both countries," Nitya said.

Relevant agencies in the two countries will need three to four months to adjust their respective regulations before implementing the new pact, a Thai official said.

Nitya and Hor Namhong also discussed greater cooperation on developing the historic Preah Vihear temple site, which has been a source of dispute. Earlier this year Thailand disagreed with Cambodia's desire to list the Hindu temple as a UN World Heritage Site.

Supalak G Khundee, Nation