Subject
Thailand-Cambodia economic relations.
Significance
The scheduled completion of a Thai-Cambodian railway link in early 2017 is viewed in both countries as the symbol of a new phase in bilateral economic cooperation. The end goal is negotiation on joint development of the 27,000-square-kilometre Overlapping Claims Area (OCA) in the northern Gulf of Thailand, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas.
Impacts
Joint exploration in the Gulf of Thailand would take years.
Nonetheless, the agreement would be a major symbolic gain for both sides.
Regional infrastructure connectivity projects would improve economic prospects for mainland South-east Asia.
Accumulation of paralytic shellfish toxins by green mussel Perna viridis by feeding on cultured cells of Alexandrium cohorticula isolated from the Gulf of Thailand.