Thailand and Cambodia plan to widen a commercial bottleneck by increasing the number of buses and trucks allowed to cross each other’s border.
Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said Thursday that the two countries will discuss a transport agreement during their two-day meeting starting June 5. The host venue was not revealed.
The anticipated bilateral agreement will allow more coaches and lorries to be registered in order to run between the two neighbours.
Thailand and Cambodia can register a combined 40 buses and trucks a year for cross-border transport under the Greater Mekong Subregion agreement. The authorised vehicles have no limits on trips made between the two countries, but can only cross through two checkpoints: Aranyaprathet-Poipet and Khlong Yai-Koh Kong.
''The agreement will increase the number of vehicles and routes and make transport between the two countries more flexible,'' said Mr Arkhom.
Pongchai Kasemthaweesak, deputy permanent secretary for transport, said the agreement will service increasing trade and personal contacts between Thailand and Cambodia.
The Asian Development Bank will be brought in to coordinate with Thai and Cambodian officials working on the agreement, he added.
The GMS scheme, which includes China, Myanmar and Vietnam, is supported by the Manila-based bank.
A Transport Ministry official said Thailand will propose registration of 500 buses or trucks be allowed to travel between the two countries over three years.
The first year will increase the number of authorised vehicles from to 150. The number would be doubled to 300 in the second year and reach 500 in the third year.