Thailand and Cambodia confirmed on Friday they will open or upgrade a slew of new border crossings to facilitate commerce and travel between the two nations.
The confirmation came at the 5th Meeting of the Governors of Thai-Cambodian Border Provinces in Bangkok. Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng co-chaired the meeting Aug 26-28 session.
Both sides agreed to speed the opening of two new permanent border crossings bridging Ban Nong Ian village in Sa Kaeo province and the Stung Bot area of Cambodia; and Ban Pa Rai village in Sa Kaeo and Oneang town in Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province.
The two countries also intend to open or upgrade crossings in four other locations: An Ma, Ubon Rachathani and An Ses, Preah Vihear province; Ban Khao Din in Sa Kaeo and Phnom Dei, Battambang; Ban Tha Sen in Trat province and Thmor Da, Pursat province in Cambodia; and Sai Taku in Buri Ram and Chup Koki, Oddor Meanchey.
Thailand and Cambodia plan to cooperatively develop connected special economic zones in Sa Kaeo-Banteay Meanchey, and Trat and Koh Kong, as well as link Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district and Banteay Meanchey's Poipet town by resurrecting a old rail line.
The Cambodian side also agreed to review the Thai proposal to upgrade the Ban Mamuang, Trat--Ban Chrok Roka, Battambang border point-of-entry to an international point-of-entry.
In addition, each country pledged to improve workers' skills, agriculture, health services, community development, tourism, and disaster-response while suppressing crime and promoting sister cities along the border.