Southeast Asian neighbours Cambodia and Thailand have signed a visa exemption agreement, allowing citizens of both countries to cross each other's border without a visa.
The bilateral pact was signed recently in Phnom Penh between Cambodian foreign minister Hor Namhong and his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya. It will take effect on December 16, 2010 and applies to trips of up to 14 days.
The easing of the visa rules is expected to increase business and leisure travel between the two countries. Thailand's tourism minister Thong Khon said about 100,000 Thai visitors cross the Cambodian border each year. The visa waiver, he hoped, would help double the number in the coming years.
Besides Thailand, Cambodia now has visa waiver agreements with seven Asean countries, except Myanmar and Brunei. The other Asean countries include Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.
Gigi Onag
