Thailand and Cambodia are enhancing cooperation in multiple areas such as investment, tourism, and culture as they mark the 75th year of diplomatic relations.
These relationships might sometimes get tense – as evidenced last week following a short clash in a contested frontier region – yet both parties remain committed to working together and achieving common objectives through cooperation.
Tull Traisorat, who serves as the Thai Ambassador to Cambodia, recently welcomed a delegation of visiting Thai reporters at the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh. This meeting, arranged by the National Press Council of Thailand, aimed to improve Thai journalists’ knowledge about Cambodia.
Enhancing connections among neighboring regions is a primary objective, as he mentioned, with initiatives to develop transportation systems and infrastructure currently progressing. These efforts encompass upgrading roads and constructing new bridges aimed at facilitating commerce and mobility.
Railway expansions are underway as well, possibly connecting Sa Kaeo province in Thailand with Phnom Penh and extending deeper into southern Cambodia.
Maritime routes are being examined as well, allowing cruise ships to stop at enlarged port facilities. This enables visitors to discover various locations throughout Thailand, Cambodia, and even Vietnam, he mentioned.
Mr. Tull mentioned that Thailand is advocating collaborative tourism efforts through the “Six Countries, One Destination” initiative, which encourages visitors to explore several nations across Southeast Asia.
Scheduled for release by the end of this year, the initiative seeks to increase intra-regional tourism among six ASEAN countries—Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam—and an additional nation still to be determined.
Thailand aims primarily at boosting regional tourism with an emphasis on attracting visitors to both nations. In the previous year, 2.1 million Thai travelers went to Cambodia, whereas the number of Cambodian visitors to Thailand stood at approximately 553,000.
We think that a more cohesive tourism promotion strategy could greatly increase these figures,” stated the Thai ambassador. “This plan motivates visitors traveling to Cambodia to continue their journey into Thailand, and similarly, those going to Thailand to explore Cambodia as well, similar to how multiple-country tours operate in Europe.
Thailand and Cambodia should be promoted as connected tourism centers, allowing travelers to easily continue their trips between these two countries.
Famous Thai locations like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui are being connected with developing attractions in Cambodia, providing an unbroken and engaging journey for tourists, he stated.
Economic agenda
Regarding the enhancement of economic partnerships, Mr. Tull mentioned that the government is promoting private businesses to increase their investment in Cambodia, specifically focusing on sectors like agriculture, food processing, and tourism.
Rich in agricultural products like mangoes and cassava, Cambodia aims to develop processing facilities to avoid exporting unprocessed goods to Vietnam for refinement.
Incentives such as tax exemptions on machinery imports and extended investment benefits are being offered to Thai companies considering expansion in Cambodia, he said.
Regarding cultural and educational exchanges, both countries persist in fostering interactions via joint media initiatives, artistic collaborations, and sporting events.
Recently, activities such as a friendly soccer game between Thailand and Cambodia, marathons held across provincial borders, and educational programs aimed at boosting collaboration among universities have taken place.
Mr. Tull mentioned that the government, via programs like the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), is offering scholarships and training to boost skills in sectors including agriculture, climate change management, and sustainable development.
In all these efforts, the media is regarded as an essential instrument for enhancing public perception between Thailand and Cambodia. He emphasized the significance of ethical journalism in propagating positive stories and encouraging mutual comprehension.
Media relations
Chavarong Limpattamapanee, who serves as the chairman of the National Press Council of Thailand, mentioned that the historic connection between Thai and Cambodian media outlets traces back to 1994 when Cambodia started reconstructing following decades of warfare.
In this era, Cambodia’s inaugural journalists’ organization came into being with assistance from Australia, signaling the start of Thailand’s media collaborating with their Cambodian peers.
Nevertheless, political hurdles in Cambodia subsequently hindered advancements. At first, there was just a single organization for journalists; however, internal rifts resulted in several factions forming, which complicated collaborative initiatives.
The challenges were exacerbated by political unrest, ultimately leading to tensions between Thai and Cambodian media outlets. During his presidency at the Thai Journalists Association, journalist Kavee Chongkittavorn highlighted this significant turning point in cross-border media cooperation, according to Mr Chavarong.
During his tenure, the Thai media aimed at bolstering relationships with their Cambodian peers. Initiatives were undertaken to revive collaborations and advocate for journalistic freedoms in Cambodia, which led to the establishment of what was once known as the Southeast Asia Press Freedom Alliance (SEAPA), before its dissolution.
Mr. Chavarong mentioned an exemplary instance of collaboration took place during the funeral of Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihanouk. The situation became contentious when certain photographs in a report by a Thai journalist were seen as offensive. In response, both Thai and Cambodian journalists collaborated, releasing joint statements and establishing protocols to ensure respectfulness was maintained.
A further example of international cooperation arose amidst the Miss Grand dispute last year, which involved conflicts between organizers from Thailand and Cambodia.
This week highlighted the importance of cooperation and communication when tensions rose due to a short altercation between Thai and Cambodian troops in the contested region of Ubon Ratchathani province. The situation was exacerbated by social media rumors and discussions circulating on either side.
At the highest echelons of the military and government in both nations, cooler minds have taken control, leading to efforts toward diplomatic resolutions. Nonetheless, constant watchfulness is essential—online rumors regarding border shutdowns, which were refuted by the Thai army, illustrate this point well.
On Saturday, government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub warned people about the dissemination of misleading or provocative content.
“Efforts to provoke turmoil or disseminate false information are futile and offer no advantage to the over 70 million people of Thailand,” he cautioned, urging for solidarity and conscientious dialogue.
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