Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s Visit Marks 75 Years of Diplomatic Relations
In a significant diplomatic development, Cambodia and Thailand have reached new heights in their bilateral relations following Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit to Phnom Penh. This two-day visit, occurring during the historic 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two Southeast Asian neighbors, represents a pivotal moment in their evolving relationship.
A Warm Cambodian Welcome
Prime Minister Paetongtarn, accompanied by her husband Pitaka Suksawat, arrived in Cambodia at the invitation of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. The visiting delegation received a grand reception at Phnom Penh International Airport, where Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul welcomed them. The ceremonial aspects continued with a formal reception at the Peace Palace, attended by Prime Minister Hun Manet and First Lady Pich Chanmony.
Elevating the Strategic Partnership
Both leaders expressed their strong commitment to enhancing the strategic partnership established last year. During their joint press conference following bilateral discussions, Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized that this visit “turned a new, historic page” in the long-lasting friendship between the two nations.
“We aimed to promote cooperation in all sectors and drive more intimate exchanges between our peoples, especially after we raised bilateral ties to the level of strategic partnership last year,” stated Hun Manet, underscoring Cambodia’s view of Thailand as a crucial partner, particularly in trade and investment.
Key Areas of Collaboration
The high-level meetings yielded significant progress in multiple domains:
Tourism and Connectivity
The leaders renewed their commitment to the “Two Kingdom, One Destination” framework, aimed at boosting tourism and enhancing connectivity between the two nations.
Cultural Heritage
Hun Manet expressed gratitude for Thailand’s return of 20 ancient Khmer artifacts that had been looted from Cambodian temples. “All these artifacts are now not only priceless antiques but also the souls of the Cambodian ancestors which have been lost for years due to the devastating war,” the Cambodian premier noted.
Security Cooperation
Both nations agreed to strengthen security collaboration, particularly in:
- Combating transnational crimes
- Fighting online scams and fake news
- Addressing human trafficking
- Enhancing military cooperation along border areas
Diplomatic Expansion
The leaders welcomed initiatives to establish a Thai consulate in Siem Reap and a Cambodian consulate in Songkhla, further facilitating bilateral relations.
Environmental Cooperation
Discussions included joint efforts to combat air pollution and other environmental challenges affecting both countries.
Formal Agreements
During the visit, the prime ministers presided over the signing ceremony of seven key cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding between Cambodia and Thailand, solidifying their commitment to enhanced collaboration.
Potential Elevation to “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”
Former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who met separately with Paetongtarn, suggested that the current “strategic partnership” should be elevated to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” given the extensive cooperation between the two nations.
Personal Connections Enhancing Diplomacy
Prime Minister Paetongtarn noted that she and Hun Manet share the experience of having fathers who served as influential prime ministers, referring to her father Thaksin Shinawatra and Hun Sen. She described Hun Manet as a “good brother,” which she indicated made their discussions more productive.
Regional Cooperation
Hun Sen recommended strengthening economic and trade ties both bilaterally and through regional frameworks such as ACMECS, GMS, ASEAN, and RCEP. This approach aims to diversify markets and address challenges posed by global geopolitical and economic competition.
Expert Perspective
Chheng Kimlong, President of the Asian Vision Institute, observed that Cambodia and Thailand are “natural partners and good neighbours,” with stronger economic, trade, investment, political, and cultural ties being of immense mutual interest.
“The visit of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will further deepen and expand the scope and scale of cooperation,” he stated, emphasizing that maintaining healthy bilateral relations requires “a high level of political trust and integrity.”
Looking Forward
As both nations celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations with commemorative activities throughout the year, this official visit marks a significant step toward deeper regional integration and cooperation between these important Southeast Asian neighbors.
The successful diplomatic engagement demonstrates the commitment of both Cambodia and Thailand to foster peace, stability, and mutual prosperity in a rapidly changing global landscape.
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