Phnom Penh (FN), Aug. 12 – Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen revealed that he also initiated the Cambodia-Laos-Thailand Development Triangle, alongside the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA). However, political instability in Thailand, marked by a series of coups, has stalled progress on this project.

Samdech Techo spoke in the special voice message on Monday (Aug. 12).

Samdech Techo Hun Sen underscored, "In addition to the past successes between Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam, I also proposed the Cambodia-Laos-Thailand Development Triangle to former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the Lao government. We planned to build a golf course with 27 plots on the border involving Preah Vihear province. However, due to a series of coups in Thailand, this project was unable to proceed."

Samdech Techo Hun Sen underlined that this project was intended to foster peaceful cooperation with neighbouring countries and to promote economic, trade, and tourism opportunities in the region, ultimately reducing poverty among the people.

At the same time, Samdech Techo Hun Sen addressed remarks made by some individuals suggesting that "Cambodia should build a fence." He questioned whether this fence would close off the Mekong River, the Bassac River, and all the canals flowing between Viet Nam and Cambodia, or if it would only cover land borders in the four provinces. He pointed out that any gaps in the fence could be exploited, whether by crossing, shooting, or digging through, while Cambodia would have to consider thousands of kilometres of borders.

In the voice message, Samdech Techo Hun Sen explained that the protection of border areas is more effectively achieved through the active involvement and well-being of the people living there, rather than relying solely on physical barriers like concrete fences. He underlined that investing in infrastructure, roads, and essential services including housing, schools, hospitals and other necessities the people need to enhance their ability to live there.

It should be noted that the CLV-DTA was first initiated by Cambodia in 1999, under the leadership of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, with the goal of transforming border provinces into areas of friendship, solidarity, and development.
=FRESH NEWS