Thailand, Cambodia to discuss border opening for trade

BANGKOK, December 14 (TNA) - Thailand and Cambodia will hold a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JC) late this month, in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations. Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul told journalists Wednesday that he will attend the JC meeting with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong in Cambodia on December 29, with a plan on the further opening of border for trade to be included for discussions. Surapong said that another major issue which might be raised at the upcoming Thai-Cambodian JC meeting is a possibility for the release of two Thai activists, Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who have been imprisoned in Cambodia. Veera and his secretary, Ratree, were arrested by Cambodian soldiers in December last year and were charged by a Phnom Penh court of trespassing and espionage. Several attempts have been made by the Thai government to secure for their release. (TNA)