DAP: The breaking news in Cambodia: “Cambodia, Thailand launch single visa for foreign visitors” plus 1 more

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Thailand on Thursday commenced implementing a single visa scheme in a move to encourage more foreign tourists and business people to these Southeast Asian nations, according to a press release from Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The single visa scheme is under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya- Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) framework, initiated in 2003 by five ASEAN countries, namely Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.

The Thai-Cambodian single visa is viewed as a pilot project of the ACMECS member states.

The press release said the ACMECS single visa is available at diplomatic and consular missions of Cambodia and Thailand. "With the issuance of the ACMECS single visa by one country, either Cambodia or Thailand, the holders of this visa are authorized to enter both Cambodia and Thailand,"it said. "The visa costs 20 U.S. dollars for a single entry and is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance."

It added that 35 countries and regions are eligible to apply for the visa including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, China's Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, India, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait,Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The launching of the single visa was made after the 8th Thai- Cambodian Joint Committee meeting in Bangkok on Wednesday, which was co-chaired by Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong.

BANGKOK, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tourists to Thailand and Cambodia can obtain a single visa to enter both countries as part of a concerted effort to promote trade and tourism in the Southeast Asian region.

Under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy framework, initiated in 2003 by five ASEAN countries, namely Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, the single visa may be issued for common use by foreign tourists to the two neighboring states, beginning on Thursday.

The Thai-Cambodian single visa is viewed as a pilot project of the ACMECS member states to promote trade and tourism for shared economic prosperity in the region, according to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Under the projected theme "Five Countries - One Destination", the three other ACMECS countries - Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam - are yet to follow suit.

The single visa will allow the foreigners to stay for a maximum of 60 days in Thailand and a maximum of 30 days in Cambodia.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra congratulated the launching of the single visa on Wednesday during the 8th Thai- Cambodian Joint Committee meeting participated by a visiting Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

The Thai lady prime minister expressed her confidence in a concerted international bid to promote connectivity between the ASEAN member states under regional development plans and obtain shared economic prosperity, beginning with the Thai-Cambodian single visa.

Besides, the Thai government will help the Cambodian government build and repair major roads including Route 5 and Route 48 inside Cambodia, build a railway bridge between the Thai border district of Aranyaprathet and the Cambodian border township of Poipet and open more permanent checkpoints along the shared borders of the two neighboring states.