PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has expressed his desire to form an agreement to hold a cross-border exercises with Thailand in response to the recent disaster near the Cambodian border.

This statement was made by the Prime Minister when he received the new Ambassador of Thailand, Cherdkiat Atthakor, at the Peace Palace on Friday morning, 20 January 2023.

The Minister Attach to the Prime Minister, Srey Thamrong, told reporters after the meeting that Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed regret over the fire that occurred at a casino hotel on the Cambodia-Thailand Poipet border, which killed many foreigners, including many Thai nationals. The Prime Minister said that the two countries should establish a cross-border exercise agreement to be ready to respond to such disasters in the future.

"This is an experience that has led the Prime Minister to want to have a cross-border exercise agreement that sees the two sides work together to prevent cross-border disasters such as wildfires, floods and other natural disasters," said the Minister Attached to the Prime Minister.

On 28 December 2022, a major fire broke out at the Grand Diamond City casino and Poipet Resort Casino in Poipet city, Banteay Meanchey Province. At least 27 people were killed and nearly 60 people were injured, with most of the victims being Thai nationals.