Thai-Cambodia's single visa starts Dec 27

BANGKOK, December 26 (TNA)- Thailand and Cambodia have agreed on a single visa under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) framework, effective from December 27, 2012, turning the two neighbouring countries into a single tourist destination for non-visa ASEAN travellers. The agreement was reached in Bangkok on Wednesday during the 8th Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission (JC), which was expected to be later followed suit by other ACMECS member countries. Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who co-chaired the JC with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Nam Hong, told journalists after the meeting that the two sides have also resolved to speedily work out a joint management plan on the opening up of a new Thai-Cambodian permanent border crossing at Baan Nong Ian in Thailand's eastern Sa Kaeo province and at Baan Satungbot in Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province in order to facilitate and boost cross-border transport and investment and to conduct a joint survey in preparation for the opening of a new border connection in Sa Kaeo's Baan Non Mak Mun area, opposite Baan Prai Chan in Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province. According to the Thai deputy premier, the two sides also discussed cooperative measures against illegal logging of rosewoods and agreed to set up a joint panel tasked with working out solutions to the problem on a sustainable basis. The Thai deputy premier acknowledged that agreements on cross-border labour management and on exchange of convicts were also reached at the 8th Thai-Cambodian JC, declaring the latest JC meeting a success which reflects sound relations between the two neighbouring countries. (TNA)