Japan-Mekong meeting in October

The meeting would pave the way for a leaders' summit in November or December, he said.

Japan has taken a proactive approach in bridging the development gap between the newer and older members of Asean.

It established the Japan-Asean Integration Fund in 2006 and hosted the first Japan-Mekong ministerial meeting in Tokyo last year.

It has pledged about US$20 million (Bt690 million) for development projects in the Mekong basin.

The Siem Reap meeting would emphasise regional interconnectivity through transportation routes.

Thailand, which has many cooperation schemes with its neighbours such as the Ayeyawady-Chao Phya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy and the Emerald Triangle, would play some role in enhancing linkages, he said.

Thailand has been a donor country to its neighbours for years. It recently committed financial assistance to Cambodia's construction and renovation of Highway 68 from Kralanh to Samrong and Highway 48 from Koh Kong to Sre Ambel, Kasit added.