Thai, Khmer ties get closer for 75th

COUNTRIES POSITIONED AS INTERCONNECTED TOURIST HUBS

- ANUCHA CHAROENPO

Tull Traisorat, the Thai Ambassador to Cambodia, recently met a group of visiting Thai journalists at the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh. The visit was organised by the National Press Council of Thailand to enhance Thai journalists’ understanding of Cambodia.

Mr Tull said plans to expand transport networks and infrastructure are underway. They include improving roadways and new bridges to ease trade and travel.

Railway extensions also are being carried out, potentially linking Thailand's Sa Kaeo province to Phnom Penh and further into southern Cambodia, he said.

Maritime routes are also being explored, with cruise liners now able to dock at expanded ports, enabling travellers to explore destinations across Thailand, Cambodia and even Vietnam, he said.

As for tourism, Mr Tull said Thailand is promoting joint tourism initiatives under the concept of “Six Countries, One Destination”, encouraging travellers to experience multiple countries within Southeast Asia.

The campaign, set to launch by the end of this year, aims to boost regional travel across six Asean nations: Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam and a sixth country yet to be confirmed.

One of Thailand’s primary goals is to promote regional tourism, encouraging visitors to explore the two countries. Last year, over 2.1 million Thai tourists visited Cambodia while Cambodian visitors to Thailand reached 553,000.