The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over the 11th century Prear Vihear temple could be one of the reasons why attempts to establish an Asean country-wide single visa is being held up.
Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Suraphon Svetasreni said a bipartisan agreement with Cambodia, which would see the two countries, linked by a single visa, had been signed by Thailand but not Cambodia.
The governor could offer no reason why the Cambodians were dragging their feet over approval for the common visa but admitted, “the environment is not good at the momentâ€.
Suraphon said the Asean committee working on a single Asean visa was making progress but its implementation was still “a year or two offâ€.
Cambodia is not represented at this week’s Thailand Travel Mart, despite the trade show being billed as a showcase for the Greater Mekong subregion.
Only Myanmar and Laos from the subregion had country booths an the show.
