A Thai-based law firm has been given permission by the State of Cambodia to open

an office in Phnom Penh. Siam Premier International Law Office (SPI) signed a business

cooperation agreement with SOC officials from the National Investment Committee to

open what will be the first private law firm in Cambodia.

Commercial law activities will be conducted under the name of "Cambodia Premier

International." All appropriate clearances have been received and the firm expects

to open an office in the capital within the next two months. In the meantime, Cambodian-related

business is being conducted out of SPI's Bangkok office.

SPI plans to contribute training, personnel and management to Cambodia Premier. Both

on site training in Phnom Penh and training in Bangkok will be conducted for Cambodian

lawyers.

In an official press release, the firm notes that it is committed "to establishing

itself in Cambodia is the ultimate expression of confidence in Cambodia's ability

to heal itself. Despite past wars and present risks, business has always gone on

in Cambodia, and prospects for the future are very bright."