Cambodia, Thailand sign visa pact to boost tourism
Cambodia and Thailand on Monday signed a deal that will allow foreigners to visit both countries with a single visa.
By Agencies |
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia and Thailand on Monday signed a deal that will allow foreigners to visit both countries with a single visa, in a bid to boost tourism.
Once the pact is implemented, visitors will be able to apply at either a Thai or Cambodian embassy for the special visa, foreign minister Hor Namhong said.
"Tourists just apply for a single visa at one place, and they can travel to both Cambodia and Thailand," he said, adding that Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam could eventually sign up to the deal.
The pact was developed through the Ayeyawady-Chao Phya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), a joint development scheme that includes the five nations.
"Both of our countries will benefit," added Thai foreign minister Nitya Pibulsonggram.
Tourism is one of the few sources of foreign exchange for impoverished Cambodia, with 1.7 million visitors there Cambodia in 2006.
This however lags far behind Thailand, which is set to receive 14.8 million tourists this year.
Once the pact is implemented, visitors will be able to apply at either a Thai or Cambodian embassy for the special visa, foreign minister Hor Namhong said.
"Tourists just apply for a single visa at one place, and they can travel to both Cambodia and Thailand," he said, adding that Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam could eventually sign up to the deal.
The pact was developed through the Ayeyawady-Chao Phya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), a joint development scheme that includes the five nations.
"Both of our countries will benefit," added Thai foreign minister Nitya Pibulsonggram.
Tourism is one of the few sources of foreign exchange for impoverished Cambodia, with 1.7 million visitors there Cambodia in 2006.
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This however lags far behind Thailand, which is set to receive 14.8 million tourists this year.
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