The Thai army chief has paid an official visit to Cambodia to booster security cooperation and relations, with a particular focus on the development of areas along the Thai-Cambodian border.
The relations between Thailand and Cambodia have seen some conflicts and disputes along the years .
Though relations are largely peaceful, the countries’ peoples still bear a degree of enmity, which has erupted into violence when stoked by nationalist sentiments. Such episodes include a mob attack on the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh in 2003, which prompted a downgrading of relations by Thailand.
Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Narongpan Jittkaewtae and his delegation visited the Kingdom of Cambodia on February 3 and 4 as official guests of the Cambodian army. It was the army chief’s first visit to an ASEAN nation since taking office. Gen Narongpan met Cambodian leaders and senior officials of the Cambodian military with the aim of reinforcing relations and collaboration between the militaries of both nations. Emphasis was placed on developing areas located along the Thai-Cambodian border, protecting the environment and exchanging official visits at all levels.
The Thai army chief noted that unity and collaboration among Thailand and Cambodia will better enable both countries to face emerging threats. He said the Royal Thai Army will utilize existing mechanisms to promote various collaborative efforts, especially those related to environmental conservation, the development of villages along border areas, assistance for disaster victims, and aid for those in need of medical attention along the Thai-Cambodian border.
The visit by the Thai delegation also yielded Terms of Reference (TOR) for the establishment of a working committee for inter-army collaboration between the armies of Thailand and Cambodia.
Recently in an interview H.E. Panyarak Poolthup Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of Cambodia said : “We are currently enjoying the best of bilateral relations due to the commitment of both countries’ leadership to maintain and promote cooperation in all aspects. The political will is always there to resolve any issues that may arise. Both governments are making the people’s well-being the priority and keeping dialogue open at all levels”.
Last year, before COVID-19, more than 400,000 Thais traveled to Cambodia and more than 900,000 Cambodians traveled to Thailand. Thailand is among the top five countries that invests most in Cambodia according to data from the CDC in 2019.