PUBLISHED: 21 Apr 2025 at 04 :00
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra may give an official attend to Cambodia on Wednesday and Thursday.
During the visit, the officials will maintain diplomatic talks and preside over a service to build the brand marking the 75th anniversary of Thai-Cambodian diplomatic relations, state official Jirayu Houngsub said yesterday.
The explore will see the signing of important treaties and kindness names on top Thai leaders, including Senate President Hun Sen and His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni. The vacation aims to strengthen diplomatic cooperation in safety, trade, development and local engagement, he said.
Meanwhile, the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand ( NSPRT ) leader Pichit Chaimongkol said the premier’s visit raises concerns due to ongoing issues surrounding overlapping maritime claims between Thailand and Cambodia.
Mr Pichit said the Thai administration’s plan of proposing a 50:50 profit-sharing structure in the contested maritime region is opposed by Thais.
He claims Cambodia has taken a political approach, fuelling common sentiment behind the idea of recovering territories such as Koh Kut and Ta Muen Thom church in Surin state, both of which now belong to Thailand.
He raised two important concerns: first, whether Prime Minister Paetongtarn has the political skills to manage Cambodia’s regional plan, which he described as central to Phnom Penh’s plan; and second, whether her government’s emphasis on resource-sharing in disputed waters is aligned with national interests, given the domestic backlash.
He urged close scrutiny this week’s cabinet decisions:” The prime minister must say clearly whether there is a hidden agenda behind the visit, particularly in light of sensitive territorial and resource-related matters,” he said.