Thailand and Cambodia's common single entry visa became available on January 1, the first significant step taken by any member state of Asean to achieve the aim of a common visa.
This was a direct result of the regional workshop in Jakarta last year, where representatives from the 10-nation grouping met and established a joint working committee group realise that goal.
Since the first day of 2013, travellers going to either Thailand, Cambodia or both, can apply for the visa from the Thai or Cambodian general consulate in any country, Dr Thong Khon, Cambodia's minister of tourism, revealed at the ongoing Asean Tourism Forum being held in Vientiane.
A joint fee covers both countries for this special visa. The price and availability of the visa will vary depending on your nationality, since the two countries have different rules concerning entry.
For Thailand, many nationals are granted visas for free, but in Cambodia there is a standard charge of US$20. Details can be found at the governments' respective websites: www.thaigov.go.th and www.cambodia.gov.kh
Prak Vuthy, chief of marketing and promotion office in Asean for Cambodia's ministry of tourism, emphasised the new service would help Cambodia benefit from Thailand's mass tourism industry by "minimising the headache for travellers crossing the border, giving them and easy option; and thus, encouraging them to pass over the border".
"In this way, Thailand will act as a gateway to Cambodia since we do not have as much international exposure or air connections," he said.
Alex Andersson
