Dec 27---Cambodia and Thailand on Thursday commenced implementing a single visa scheme in a move to encourage more foreign tourists and business people to these Southeast Asian nations, according to a press release from Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The single visa scheme is under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya- Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) framework, initiated in 2003 by five ASEAN countries, namely Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.

The Thai-Cambodian single visa is viewed as a pilot project of the ACMECS member states.

The press release said the ACMECS single visa is available at diplomatic and consular missions of Cambodia and Thailand. "With the issuance of the ACMECS single visa by one country, either Cambodia or Thailand, the holders of this visa are authorized to enter both Cambodia and Thailand,"it said. "The visa costs 20 U.S. dollars for a single entry and is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance."

It added that 35 countries and regions are eligible to apply for the visa including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, China's Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, India, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait,Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The launching of the single visa was made after the 8th Thai- Cambodian Joint Committee meeting in Bangkok on Wednesday, which was co-chaired by Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong.