Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to speed up a single visa plan under the Ayeyawaddy-Mekong-Chao Phraya Economic Cooperation (ACMECS) grouping, to boost tourism between the two neighbours.

The agreement was reached at the 6th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia held in Bangkok on Aug. 5 with the participation of Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong.

The two countries agreed to hasten the ACMECS Single Visa plan so that foreign visitors with a visa to either country can travel in both without having to apply for another entry visa, the ministers told a joint press conference.

The single visa is aimed at boosting tourism in both countries, they said.

The two countries will sign an agreement on visa exemptions for holders of ordinary passports next year as part of activities to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. During the meeting, participants also considered the opening of a new permanent border crossing between Thailand's Sa Keao and Cambodia 's Banteay Meanchey provinces, thus helping ease transport of agricultural products between both countries.

According to Cambodian Minister Hor Namhong, the two countries agreed to promote tourism development through the “Two Kingdoms, One Destination” programme.

They also agreed to accelerate hosting of the upcoming border committee meeting and resume a meeting of the joint technical committee over the overlapping maritime area ceased from 2006.

Meanwhile, Thai Minister Kasit said all obstacles for negotiations on border issue will be solved along with solving mine clearance along the two countries’ common border line.

Earlier, the two countries inked a pact on transferring sentenced persons and cooperation in enforcing prison sentences./.