Thailand, Cambodia plan more border crossings, rail link

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Cambodian Premier
 Hun Sen smile while taking questions from reporters after
a joint cabinet meeting at Government House on Saturday.
(Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)

Thailand and Cambodia agreed on Saturday to open more
 border checkpoints and expressed hope that their capitals
 would be connected by train by next year.

The two countries will open two new checkpoints between

 Sa Kaeo and Banteay Meanchey provinces but the opening

date has not been set. The locations will be at Nong Ian-Stung

 Bot and Ban Pa Rai-O'Neang, said a statement released after

 a joint cabinet meeting at Government House.

 The new checkpoints will ease congestion at the

 Aranyaprathet-Poipet crossing, the main tourism and trade

 connection between the two countries.

The checkpoint between Nong Ian and Stung Bot is expected
 to be upgraded first as it was named by Prime Minister Prayut
 Chan-o-cha and Cambodian Premier Hun Sen in their joint
news conference.

 

A bridge needs to be built across a waterway at Ban Nong Ian,

 also in Aranyaprathet district. Gen Prayut said the construction

could be completed next year.

 The Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved a loan of 928 million

 baht to Cambodia to help fund the improvements. The loan

has a preferential interest rate of 2% and a repayment term

is 25 years, with a 10-year grace period..

 The two countries also will restore their rail connection and

 plan a rail link between the two capitals next year.

"Train service between Bangkok and Phnom Penh would start

operation by the end of 2016," the statement said.

The track between Ban Khlong Luek in Aranyaprathet and

 Poipet in Cambodia has been out of service since the Khmer

 Rouge took control of Cambodia 40 years ago.

 Previously, the countries had been connected  by rail from

Aranyaprathet and Sisophon. The State Railway of Thailand

 is now rehabilitating the tracks from Aranyaprathet to the

 border. Gen Prayut said the railway would be reconnected

 by mid-2016.

The two leaders also pledged to promote their special economic

 zones at the border between Aranyaprathet and Banteay

Meanchey, and between Trat and Koh Kong.

 Hun Sen was in Bangkok for his first official visit in 12 years,

which also marked the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

The two countries agreed on Friday to bolster trade and

 investment. His two-day visit ended on Saturday.

 

News,General,Bangkok Post, 19 December 2015.

 

This is very good news indeed ,there is cooperation between

The Prayut  government and Hun Sen.

 

Hope this news  is the sing that support from and Phnom Penh

to Taksin at any case will end.

 

Sincerely Yours.