Thailand plans to revive MOUs with Cambodia

BANGKOK, December 30 (TNA) - The Thai government is planning to revive many memoranda of understanding (MOU) with Cambodia, scrapped by the previous government, as Bangkok and Phnom Penh are moving forward to cooperate in energy and other sectors. Speaking to journalists after returning from a two-day official visit to Cambodia, Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Friday said he had discussed with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong, who is also Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, and had agreed on the issue. Surapong revealed that the Thai and Cambodian sides have also agreed to open a new permanent border checkpoint at Baan Nong Ian in Aranyaprathet District of Thailand's eastern Sa Kaeo Province to further boost cross border trade and travelling and to quicken approvals of applications for visa visiting the two neighbouring countries by people. Surapong said he and Hor Namhong have also agreed to organise the next meeting of Thailand-Cambodia Joint Commission for Cooperation (JC) in Chiang Mai from February 29 – March 1, 2012 and the next meeting of Thailand-Cambodia Joint Border Commission (JBC) in February, with the exact date of the upcoming JBC meeting to be publicly announced later. (TNA)