Message of His Excellency LONG VISALO Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the Kingdom of Thailand on the Commemoration of The Independence Day of Cambodia, 9 th November 2017 th
On 9 th November 1953, the Kingdom of Cambodia proclaimed independence from France, following the royal crusade spearheaded by our most revered late KingFather Norodom Sihanouk. This historic event has been commemorated as Cambodia๛s National Day. I am profoundly touched by and highly appreciate the expression of cordial sentiment through numerous felicitation messages that I have received on this auspicious day. On this auspicious occasion, I would like to extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to Cambodian nationals, persons of Cambodian origin in Thailand, friends from around the globe and Thai friends.
This was His Majesty the King๛s greatest achievement in gaining independence to his country without the shedding of a single drop of blood. Since then, His Majesty the King NORODOM SIHANOUK is known as the Father of Independence.
After gaining its independence, Cambodia has gone through many ups and downs - from the glorious Sangkum Reast Niyum to civil war and Khmer rouge genocide regime. The country now enjoys complete peace and has achieved important milestone in the development of Cambodia.
Cambodia๛s economy has experienced a very significant success with sustained high economic growth at an average rate of 8% in the last decade, the government๛s ability to maintain security, political stability and social order as well as its ongoing effort to develop energy and physical infrastructure sectors will help ensure a projected annual growth exceeding 7% in 2014 and the next few years. This positive trend will also be supported by trade facilitation and improvement of investment climate and diversification of the country๛s economy in all sectors which in fact still have much room for expansion. The establishment of ASEAN Economic Community and regional comprehensive partnership will provide great opportunity for Cambodia to develop its industrial and manufacturing sector through enhanced regional linkages and the economy of scale.
Cambodia has transformed itself into a charming tourist destination adorned with rich cultural heritages and unspoiled natural beauty. Thousands of ancient remains of the Khmer empire, most notably the famous Angkor Wat temples, greet a growing number of visitors, more than 5 million last year, toCambodia. In this, nearly around 398,081 Thai people visited Cambodia. Cambodia๛s beautiful beaches and little known islands welcome those who wish to escape the fastpace city life and glittering lights. Recently,The U.N. cultural organization has added Sambor Prei Kuk, or temple in the richness of the forest, located 206 km (128 miles)north of the capital Phnom Penh in Kompong Thom Province, to its world heritage list which Cambodia hope the number of tourists will be increased from year to year.
Moreover, Cambodia has taken active roles as a member of the international community through international and regional frameworks. From a country that not long ago was host to one of the biggest United Nations peacekeeping operation,Cambodia currently has many men dis-patched to peacekeeping missions under the United Nations๛ umbrella in different parts of the world.
As the cornerstone of our development effort, Cambodia aspires to build good relationship and promote fruitful cooperation with other countries in the region and the world. Cordial ties with neighboring countries are especially important as they not only ensure mutual benefits on economic terms, but also peace, security and stability without which development process would be difficult. With Thailand, Cambodia not only shares a long physical boundary,but also very similar cultures and traditions.From time, immemorial, the two nations have built and cherished very strong fraternal bonds of amity and good neighborliness.
I am very pleased to note that relationship between our kingdoms in recent years have progressed significantly and moving forward in positive direction. The increase of our two-way trade from over USD 2.8 billion in 2012 to over USD 5.5 billion in 2016 reflects well thriving economic exchanges. Various cooperation projects, such as in the field of infrastructure, health and education have significantly contributed to strengthening the spirit of solidarity and friendship between our two peoples. Many Cambodian have been trained in Thailand,and tens of thousands more have found employment in this country.
On 7 th September 2017, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, led a delegation to attend the 3 rd Cambodia-Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia,which concluded with success will further reinforce the current momentum of close and comprehensive relations between our two countries to a new height.
On this happy note, I would like to express my best wishes for greater happiness and prosperity of the people of Thailand and for stronger bonds of amity between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand.
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Indra on Airavata with Kala
The beauty of Angkor Wat has not been lost on the people in Hollywood as part of the film Tomb Raider was shot in the sanctuary of Ta Phrom
H.E. Long Visalo Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the Kingdom of Thailand
On 17 th October 1952, General De Langade, paid a Royl Audience to His Late Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHANOUK,to infrom about the transferring of military authority to Cambodia.
His Late Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHANOUK National Great Hero-Father of National Independence