A THAI military delegation arrived in Cambodia yesterday for a three-day visit aimed at strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces, officials said.

Srey Doek, commander of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Division 3, said the Thai delegation comprised 16 military officers based at the border and was led by Lieutenant General Niphat Thonglek and General Thawatchai Samutsakhon.

“Their visit to Phnom Penh will help improve the situation and avoid tension along the border,” he said.

Srey Doek noted that the visit to Phnom Penh, the first since hostilities broke out between the countries in July 2008, followed recent talks between Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva.

He said a Cambodian military delegation would make a return visit to Bangkok on Friday.