Phnom Penh: Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, received H.E. Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, Member of the House of Representatives of Thailand and Chairman of the Thailand-Cambodia Parliamentary Friendship Group, at the National Assembly Palace today. The meeting was part of the Thai parliamentary delegation's official visit to Cambodia from May 25 to 27, 2025, aimed at advancing parliamentary cooperation and enhancing people-to-people connections.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Samdech Khuon Sudary welcomed the visit, seeing it as a testament to the strong and expanding relations between the two national assemblies. This visit aligns with the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parliaments' leadership in 2024. She highlighted the importance of these exchange visits in strengthening traditional friendships and deepening the strategic partnership for mutual benefit.
Samdech Khuon Sudary noted that despite global and regional challenges, Cambodia and Thailand continue to foster close cooperation as neighboring countries. Political trust and mutual understanding are essential in building durable ties. She mentioned that both legislative and executive branches have engaged in frequent visits and dialogues to promote mutual respect and understanding for the benefit of their peoples.
Reflecting on the recent 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Samdech recalled the signing of seven new cooperation agreements between Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister H.E. Mrs. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as well as the inauguration of a commemorative monument in Phnom Penh. The anniversary was also marked by events such as a friendly football match and the 'Two Kingdoms Run' across the Cambodia-Thailand Friendship Bridge, aimed at strengthening solidarity and connectivity between the people.
H.E. Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat expressed gratitude for the warm reception and conveyed greetings from the Speaker of the Thai National Assembly. He stated that the visit was intended to further consolidate cooperation between the two legislative bodies. He emphasized the effectiveness of strong parliamentary collaboration in addressing the needs of both nations and briefed Samdech on his earlier meeting with Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh, where both sides committed to enhancing communication and expanding collaboration mechanisms.
The discussions also included promoting cooperation in trade, education, tourism, and economic development. Samdech noted that Thailand is currently Cambodia's fifth-largest investor, with a commitment from both governments to increase bilateral trade to US$ 15 billion by 2027. In tourism, both parties reaffirmed support for the 'Two Countries, One Destination' and 'Six Countries, One Destination' initiatives to enhance regional tourism connectivity.
Samdech expressed her appreciation to the Thai Government and Royal Family for their support in providing scholarships to Cambodian students. She affirmed Cambodia's commitment to human capital development under the leadership of Samdech Techo Hun Sen and now Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, with aims to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030 and high-income status by 2050.