Hun Sen farewells Samak on homeward trip

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej (R) greets Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) during a meeting in Phnom Penh on March 3, 2008 . Samak Sundaravej began a series of visits to introduce himself and his government's policies to ASEAN member countries with a trip to the neighbouring countries of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and the Kingdom of Cambodia from February 29 through March 4.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej (R) walks in after greeting Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) during a meeting in Phnom Penh on March 3, 2008 . Samak Sundaravej began a series of visits to introduce himself and his government's policies to ASEAN member countries with a trip to the neighbouring countries of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and the Kingdom of Cambodia from February 29 through March 4.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej listens during a meeting with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on March 3, 2008 . Samak Sundaravej began a series of visits to introduce himself and his government's policies to ASEAN member countries with a trip to the neighbouring countries of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and the Kingdom of Cambodia from February 29 through March 4.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)

Bangkok Post

Phnom Penh (dpa) - Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej flew out of Cambodia Tuesday, seen off by his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen after a two-day visit that touched upon sea borders and a disputed border temple.

Newly-elected Samak sought to strengthen bilateral ties with neighbouring Cambodia during his visit, but instead found talks on growing anger over allegations that Thai border patrols use undue force in controlling Cambodian immigrant workers to Thailand, resulting in at least a dozen shooting deaths a year.

Cambodia is looking to make its claims on disputed sea borders legal before expected rich offshore oil reserves are tapped within two years. Hun Sen urged Thailand to be more flexible, allowing a "win-win situation between our two nations."

The disputed Preah Vihear border temple and Cambodia's move to have it listed as a Unesco World Heritage site will be discussed in more detail when Deputy Prime Minister Sok An visits Thailand later this year.

Visits to neighbouring nations have become a tradition for new leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which both countries are members.