Thailand and Cambodia will upgrade four temporary border checkpoints to bolster cross-border trade, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Friday after wrapping up his two-day visit to the neighbouring country.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (centre) and Cambodian government officials walk past honor guards in front of a statue of former King Norodom Sihanouk in Phnom Penh on Friday. (AFP photo)
The temporary crossings set to be made permanent checkpoints are located at Arn Ma pass in Nam Yuen district in Ubon Ratchathani province, which opposite Preh Vinear province of Cambodia; Ban Khao Din in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo, bordering Battambang; Ban Tha Sen in Muang ditrict in Trat opposite Pursat of Cambodia; and Sai Taku pass in Ban Kruat district in Buri Ram bordering Oddar Meanchey.
At temporary checkpoints, traders must ask permission from authorities to open and close the crossing. Permanent crossings are open at all times during business hours. Gen Prayut did not say when the four checkpoints will be declared permanent crossings.
The plan aligns with the government's policy to boost border trade with neighbouring countries. Thai trade with Cambodia is mainly through the checkpoint between Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo and Poipet of Cambodia.
Thailand and Cambodia will not allow the unsettled borderline to disrupt their relations, he added.
The prime minister ended a two-day visit to Cambodia on Friday.
Eang Sophalleth, a spokesman for Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, said the two leaders did not discuss the dispute over the area near the Preah Vihear temple nor claims on overlapping areas in the Gulf of Thailand, according to Xinhua news agency.