Cambodian FM to visit Thailand next week

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong will pay an official visit to Thailand from July 10 to 12 in order to further deepen the relations in every field between the two neighbouring countries, said a foreign ministry's statement on Thursday.

Hor Namhong will be accompanied by Var Kimhong, Senior Minister in charge of Border Affairs, and Culture and Fine Arts Minister Phoeurng Sackona, the statement said, adding that the upcoming visit coincides with the 65th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During visit to Thailand, he will hold bilateral talks with his Thai counterpart Gen. Tanasak Patimapragorn and pay a courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-Cha, it said.

"While in Thailand, Hor Namhong will also attend the handover ceremony of 16 Cambodian artifacts to Cambodia by Thailand, the signing of the Amendment of Agreement on Border Crossing and the announcement on the opening of bilateral checkpoint An Seh (Preah Vihear province-Cambodia)- An Mah (Ubon Rachthani province- Thailand) as an international checkpoint," the statement said.

It added that the signing of Border Crossing Agreement will allow people living in the border areas to travel and stay in the Thai border area and the Cambodian border area (for Thai citizens) for a period of seven days, or up to 30 days for the holders of Border Pass, who have fulfilled the requirement of internal procedure of the receiving country.