Direct bus route between Phnom Penh and Bangkok officially opens

PHNOM PENH, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Direct bus route between Cambodia's Phnom Penh and Thailand's Bangkok was officially launched on Thursday. Officials believed that the launch will boost bilateral trade and tourism.

Under a bilateral agreement signed by the transport ministries of the two countries, Cambodia is allowed to issue licenses to 30 buses and 10 trucks, and Thailand is permitted to issue licenses to 30 trucks and 10 buses, Suon Vanhong, deputy director of the transport department at Cambodia's transport ministry, said Thursday.

"The start of the direct Phnom Penh-Bangkok bus route through Banteay Meanchey province's Poipet International Checkpoint will help promote the two countries' trade and tourism," he told Xinhua over telephone, adding that it will also cut travel time between the two capitals.

Craig Steffensen, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank's Thailand Resident Mission, said in a press release on Thursday that the ability to move people, goods, and vehicles across borders efficiently and responsibly is at the heart of regional economic integration.

"Today's launch will reduce logistics costs and facilitate economic growth and social development between Thailand, Cambodia and other Mekong nations," he said.

Cambodia borders Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. According to Suon Vanhong, to date, the country has direct cross-border bus route with all its neighbors.

Sourced: Xinhuanet