Trade tie with Cambodia intact

"Despite conflicts on Preah Vihear, Thailand and Cambodia remain neighbours. I believe that the situation would be normalised within a month," he said. He noted that there has been no policy to encourage Thai companies from relocating their business from Cambodia.

Meanwhile, Narongchai Akrasanee, chairman of Export Import Bank of Thailand, said in a seminar on Monday that the bank has maintained the policy to promote Thailand's investment in neighbouring countries including Cambodia.

As of May 2008, the outstanding loans to Thai businessmen with investment projects in Cambodia totalled Bt940.71 million, from total loans of of Bt2.1 billion. The bank has loaned Bt5.56 billion to investment projects in Burma, with outstanding amount of Bt5.34 billion; Bt4.89 billion to Laos with outstanding amount of Bt2.6 billion; and Bt425 million to Vietnam, with outstanding amount of Bt293 million.

"Though Thailand and Cambodia runs into a conflict, the public sector should not take it seriously. They should look into the future. For example, if both countries agree to the joint development for the overlapping land in Ko Kong, it would generate enormous benefits to both as the area has abundant oil and gas reserves," he said.