• Politics

Bilateral Ties in Focus During Thai Ruling Party Leader Visit

• By Torn Chanritheara
• March 19, 2024 11:55 AM

PHNOM PENH – Cambodia and Thailand's relationships were up for discussion between top party leaders during a visit of Pheu Thai Party Head Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Paetongtarn, the leader of the Pheu Thai party and daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is paying a two-day visit at the invitation of ex-Prime Minister Hun Sen, president of Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and head of king’s privy council. Hun Sen extended the invitation when he visited Thaksin on Feb. 18.

Paetongtarn met separately with Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet on Mar. 18. In a statement published after the meeting, the CPP said the visit is a party-to-party exchange among senior leaders to discuss political relationships.

“[The] two countries’ ruling party’s leader also discussed promoting economic growth through infrastructure connectivity, investment, tourism and trade,” the statement said. 

In the meeting with Hun Manet, Paetongtarn expressed strong hope that the relationship and cooperation between the two countries would be further strengthened and expanded in other important areas, including the promotion of the role of women.

As reported by Thai media outlet Thai Inquirer, the Pheu Thai Party said Paetongtarn had also discussed with the Cambodian Prime Minister the problem of cross-border haze, which causes heavy air pollution in both countries, and had asked him to take stock of the situation.

In response, Hun Manet praised the relations between the two countries and informed the leader of the Pheu Thai party of the results of his official visit to Thailand in February, which contributed to the strengthening and expanding of relations between the two countries in many areas, including the economy, trade, tourism and employment.

During her stay, Paetongtarn also met with Senate President Say Chhum and First Vice President of the National Assembly Cheam Yeab.