Thai FM visits Cambodia

BANGKOK, December 29 (TNA) - Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul is paying a two-day visit to neighbouring Cambodia, for an opportunity to hold talks with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong on a recent fire at a Thai military helicopter by the Cambodian side and a request for the Cambodian King’s pardon for two Thai detainees at the Cambodian Prey Sar Prison. Before leaving for Cambodia on Thursday morning, Surapong told reporters that his Cambodian counterpart, who is also Deputy Prime Minister concurrently, invited him for the two-day visit to Phnom Penh, from December 29-30, to follow up bilateral projects Thai and Cambodian prime ministers earlier discussed during Thai Premier Yingluck's recent trip to Cambodia. Besides, Surapong said, he will also discuss preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission for Cooperation (JC) and the Cambodian fire at the Thai military helicopter to create mutual understanding, as well as procedures of the royal pardon request for the two Thai detained activists. The Thai foreign minister, however, denied his acknowledgement on reports that the two Thai detainees, Veera Somkhwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaibul, had withdrawn their appeal to pave the way for a request for the royal pardon. (TNA)