DPM stresses on sound Thai-Cambodian relations

BANGKOK, December 25 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon has acknowledged sound relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, following his two-day official visit to the neighbouring country. Speaking at a press conference in Bangkok on Thursday after returning from his trip to Cambodia, set from December 24-25, General Prawit said that he and his entourage received a warm welcome, stressing that both neighbouring countries now enjoy good ties. The Thai deputy premier stated that he and his entourage, including Royal Thai Armed Forces chiefs and the national police chief, attended the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) in Phnom Penh to discuss bilateral cooperation along the common border, as well as on public safety, anti-narcotics and human trafficking, immigrant labour and plans to set up economic zones in Thailand's eastern border Trat and Sa Kaeo Provinces. The Thai deputy premier noted that the Thai-Cambodian GBC did not raise issues related to the ancient Preah Vihear Temple, situated along the common border, but the Cambodian side proposed that both countries increase communications between their officials at the operational level to further develop bilateral relations and understanding. During his stay in the Cambodian capital, the Thai deputy prime minister revealed, he also met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, but no special topic was raised during the meeting. (TNA)