Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to boost security and economic cooperation along their border with plans to turn former frontier battlefields into joint development areas, according to Defence Ministry's spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich.
He was speaking after the 14th meeting of the Thai-Cambodia General Border Committee (GBC) in Phnom Penh attended by the Thai delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Cambodian officials led by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Bahn yesterday.
Lt Gen Kongcheep said that the two sides appreciated the cordial ties that continue to strengthen and agreed to step up cooperation in maintaining maritime and land security by planning to hold meetings of supreme commanders from the two countries every year.
The two sides also aim to push for former border battlefields to become joint border development areas, particularly in Chanthaburi and Trat and the opposite Cambodian provinces of Pursat, Pailin and Battambang, Lt Gen Kongcheep said.
He also said a Thai-Cambodian regional border committee will be set up to engage in dialogue to create a border of "friendship, stability and mutual benefits".
Thailand and Cambodia have reaffirmed their intention that border disputes will not be allowed to affect the good relations between the two countries, he said, adding that the two sides will refrain from any actions that will breach each other's borders.
If disputes occur, they will be resolved on the ground through peaceful and legal means, Lt Gen Kongcheep said.
The meeting agreed to expand border security cooperation and develop new mechanisms for bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The meeting also pledged to speed up a plan to connect rail tracks between Thailand and Cambodia and to upgrade four temporary border passes -- Chong Arn Ma border pass in Ubon Ratchathani, Ban Tha Sen in Trat, Chong Sai Taku in Buri Ram and Ban Khaodin in Sa Kaeo, the spokesman said.
Thailand and Cambodia will also strengthen cooperation to crack down on drug trafficking networks and criminal gangs along the border.
They also agreed to support measures to link a Thai special economic zone in Sa Kaeo province and the one set up by Cambodian in opposite Banteay Meanchey as well as a special economic zone in Trat and the one in Koh Kong of Cambodia, Lt Gen Kongcheep said.
