BANGKOK, May 28 – A proposal to jointly develop economic zones and communication infrastructure between Thailand and Cambodia will be presented to a bilateral meeting next month.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Monday presided over a meeting of the Thai ad hoc committee preparing for bilateral talks in Phnom Penh on June 10-11.
He outlined five issues to be raised in the meeting including the establishment of two special economic zones in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo and Poipet district of Banteay Manchey, and Thailand’s eastern province of Trat and Koh Kong of Cambodia.
The second issue involves infrastructure developments of Roads # 5, 6 and 48 in Thailand which link Srae Ambel district of Koh Kong, a 6km railway from Aranyaprathet district to Ban Klong Luek of Tha Kam sub-district, Sa Kaeo, 48km railway from Poipet to Sri Sopon, and Ban Nong Iam border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo adjacent to Stueng Bot of Banteay Manchey.
Mr Surapong said Thailand will also propose public utility development and energy cooperation including Thailand’s offer to sell electricity to Cambodia from 80 megawatts to 120 megawatts and joint development of a power generating dam in Stueng Nam and coal power plant in Koh Kong.
The fourth proposal is on human resource development, particularly on public health, labour skills, Thai language studies, and opening of a centre for victims of human trafficking in Banteay Manchey and a centre for economic self sufficiency on the border.
Thailand will assist Cambodia in increasing its people’s income by facilitating the neighbouring country on agro industry and tourism.
Mr Surapong said the proposals, if agreed by Cambodia, will be immediately implemented without having to seek Thai parliamentary approval.
