ID :
154180
Tue, 12/21/2010 - 10:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/154180
The shortlink copeid
Top Thai envoy positive on Thai-Cambodian relations
BANGKOK, Dec 21 (TNA) – Thai Ambassador to Cambodia Prasat Prasatvinitchai said Thai-Cambodian relations have been improving with the number of Cambodian nationals applying for visa to visit Thailand on the rise over the past four months.
The top Thai envoy acknowledged that the improving bilateral ties followed Thailand's clarification in response to an allegation that Cambodia provided a combat-training ground for anti-Thai government protesters.
Prasat said he had explained to Phnom Penh that the report was an unofficial statement of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) official and had informed the Cambodian government to only rely on official reports from four authorised parties in Thailand, including Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, government spokespersons and Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Regarding unsettled border issues related to the Preah Vihear Temple, the Thai ambassador revealed he had found that most Cambodians want both the Thai and Cambodian governments to seek solutions through negotiations without any complication to damage bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries.
The top Thai diplomat also suggested both the Thai and Cambodian sides take macro-aspects into account to maintain good bilateral relations, noting that since he returned to Phnom Penh on August 24 after a brief diplomatic suspension between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, the number of Cambodian people applying for the Thai visa has kept rising from a few hundreds to thousands daily now, and that a visa waiver deal concluded by the Thai and Cambodian governments recently is expected to further boost the number of Cambodian visitors to Thailand in the coming months.
Prasat made the remarks when he met a group of Thai journalists who were visiting Phnom Penh on the occasion of the 60th anniversary celebration of Thai-Cambodia diplomatic relations on Monday.(TNA)
The top Thai envoy acknowledged that the improving bilateral ties followed Thailand's clarification in response to an allegation that Cambodia provided a combat-training ground for anti-Thai government protesters.
Prasat said he had explained to Phnom Penh that the report was an unofficial statement of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) official and had informed the Cambodian government to only rely on official reports from four authorised parties in Thailand, including Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, government spokespersons and Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Regarding unsettled border issues related to the Preah Vihear Temple, the Thai ambassador revealed he had found that most Cambodians want both the Thai and Cambodian governments to seek solutions through negotiations without any complication to damage bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries.
The top Thai diplomat also suggested both the Thai and Cambodian sides take macro-aspects into account to maintain good bilateral relations, noting that since he returned to Phnom Penh on August 24 after a brief diplomatic suspension between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, the number of Cambodian people applying for the Thai visa has kept rising from a few hundreds to thousands daily now, and that a visa waiver deal concluded by the Thai and Cambodian governments recently is expected to further boost the number of Cambodian visitors to Thailand in the coming months.
Prasat made the remarks when he met a group of Thai journalists who were visiting Phnom Penh on the occasion of the 60th anniversary celebration of Thai-Cambodia diplomatic relations on Monday.(TNA)
