Thai FM to officially visit Cambodia next week

BANGKOK, Jan 23 (TNA) - Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will make an official visit to Cambodia next week for the first time since taking his post in December, a senior official said on Friday. Mr. Pisanu Suvanajata, deputy director of the Department of East Asian Affairs, confirmed Mr. Kasit's visit to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, scheduled for Sunday and Monday (January 25-26) at the invitation of Hor Namhong, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. In addition, during the two-day trip, the Thai foreign minister is scheduled to make a courtesy visit to His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia. He will also meet high-ranking Cambodian officials including Senate President Chea Sim, National Assembly President Heng Samrin, Prime Minister Hun Sen and meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong. In addition to introducing himself, Mr. Kasit will reaffirm Thailand's readiness to host next month's Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN) summit in Hua Hin to senior Cambodian officials. He will also meet with Foreign Minister Hor Namhong regarding the Thailand-Cambodia border situation, in particular the disputed Preah Vihear area, in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations and to alleviate any problems by peaceful and sincere means. Mr. Pisanu added that the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) is working on resolving the Preah Vihear dispute. The JBC will meet on the issue in early February in Bangkok. (TNA)