Thailand, Cambodia launch cross-border transportation services

SA KAEO, June 15 (TNA) - Thailand and neighbouring Cambodia have now launched cross-border transportation services at the Aranyaprathet-Poipet border crossing, aimed to further promote bilateral relations. Thai Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan and Cambodian Public Works and Transport Minister Tram Iv Tek jointly presided over a ceremony to launch the new Thai-Cambodian transportation services on Thursday. Jarupong acknowledged that the cross-border services will not only bring about conveniences and cut transportation costs of people and cargoes, but also further promote trade, tourism and other bilateral relations. Jarupong said that both sides have agreed to initially operate 40 vehicles each for irregular services, with Cambodia deploying 30 buses and 10 trucks while Thailand running 10 buses and 30 trucks, and that in the long run, there will be 500 trips per day on the route from Bangkok to Kabin Buri, Sa Kaeo and Aranyaprathet and the route from Bangkok to Laem Chabang, Phanom Sarakham, Kabin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Aranyaprathet, Poipet, Sisophon, Pursat, Phnom Penh, Neak Luong and Bavet. Both the Thai and Cambodian ministers have also agreed to open a nearby border crossing, particularly for cargo transportation, to relieve traffic congestion and Sa Kaeo Governor Sanit Naksuksri revealed that the other border crossing for cargo transportation will be opened about 10 kilometers away from the Khlong Luek border checkpoint this year. At present, as many as 12,000 people pass the Khlong Luek checkpoint daily and cargo transportation through the crossing starts at 10am everyday to relieve congestion. The value of two-way trade through the Khlong Luek border checkpoint has nearly reached 40 billion baht while the total value of border trade between Thailand and Cambodia has stood at almost 80 billion baht. Thailand and Cambodia have agreed as well to speed up their cross-border connection of their roads, railways and waterways because it will finally facilitate transportation from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet, Poipet, Phnom Penh and even such an important port city in southern Vietnam as Ho Chi Minh City. For railway connection, Cambodia has proposed that Thailand build a railway bridge to link its Bangkok-Aranyaprathet line with Cambodia’s Poipet-Battambang line. The rail connection should be completed next year and considerably cut transportation costs.(TNA)