Cambodia Considering New Initiative to Attract Thai Tourists to Visit Angkor Temples

 

The Inter-ministerial Commission for facilitating the travel and transport of tourists and passengers at international border gates and international gates across Cambodia has initiated to attract Thai tourists to visit Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap province by using only border passes.

The initiative was raised during the Inter-ministerial Commission’s meeting held here on Sept. 19 under the chairmanship of its President H.E. Thong Khon.

H.E. Hor Sarun, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism and Vice President of the Inter-ministerial Commission, said after the meeting that H.E. Thong Khon, also Minister of Tourism, will propose the initiative to the Royal Government.

Under the initiative, Thai people residing in provinces bordering Cambodia can cross the border and visit Angkor temples in Siem Reap province by using only border pass, instead of passport, H.E. Hor Sarun said, explaining that Thai people in Sa Kaeo province can enter Banteay Meanchey province of Cambodia, then continue to Siem Reap, while those in Surin province can cross the border to Oddar Meanchey province, and then Siem Reap province.

This initiative will contribute to Cambodia’s tourism recovery plan.

Cambodia’s world-famous Angkor Archeological Park attracted 83,854 foreign tourists in the first seven months of 2022, up 13.5 times compared to the same period last year, according to the state-owned Angkor Enterprise’s statement.

In the January-July period, the Kingdom received a total of 743,459 foreign holiday makers, a year-on-year increase by 560 percent, the ministry’s report stated, stressing that Thailand, Vietnam and China topped the list of foreign travellers to Cambodia.

Thailand’s provinces sharing border with Cambodia include Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buri Ram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat.

Currently, Cambodia and Thailand are implementing entry / exit permits between people living on both sides of the border.

Border pass holders can cross the border without passport. To get this border pass, people just need to have an ID card and apply for the pass.

 

 

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press