Reports by H.E Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, and Chairman of Inter-Ministerial Organizing Committee of 2nd ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012 at the Flag-off Ceremony in Phnom Penh

Reports
by
H.E Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, and Chairman of Inter-Ministerial Organizing Committee of 2nd ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012
At the Flag-off Ceremony in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, 6th December 2012
­œœœ

- H.E Dr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in-charge of the Council of Ministers, and the High Representative of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia
- H.E Mr. Denish K. Patnike, Ambassador of the Republic of India to Cambodia
- Excellencies, delegates of the 2nd ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012
- National and international distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia and the Inter-Ministerial Organizing Committee for the 2nd ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012, I have the great honor and pleasure to extend my profound thanks to H.E Dr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in-charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, and the High Representative of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia for taking tight schedule to preside over the flag-off ceremony of the 2nd ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012 in the vicinity of Independent Monument of Cambodia.

The 2nd ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012 is jointly organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and ASEAN member countries to celebrate the twin celebrations of the 20th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations and the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN-India Summit, aiming at demonstrating the close civilization links with ASEAN countries, creating public awareness, promoting connectivity, and enhancing trade, investment, tourism and people to people links between ASEAN and India region.

The rally with the Indian-made Mahindra XUV 500 sports utility vehicles will traverse a total of 8,000 Kilometers across ASEAN countries over 26 days with 124 participants from 11 countries.

The rally was kicked-off from Yogjakarta, Indonesia on 26th November 2012 and arrived Singapore on 27th November 2012, and it was flagged-off the next day on 28th November 2012. After that, the rally entered Malaysia amid a colourful welcome ceremony at Johor Bahar and continued their way into the flag-off ceremony in the evening of 28th November 2012. Then, it continued to Thailand on 29th November 2012 and was auspiciously flagged off on 2nd December 2012. Thereafter, it arrived Cambodia on 3rd December 2012 and is to be flagged-off today.

Up to-date, the rally has so far covered a total distance of 2857 kilometers across five nations- Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia, and was flagged-off by the leaders of respective countries. It should be noted that the rally is estimated to take approximately 1000 Kilometers to pass Cambodia to the next destinations.
During the 2-day stop-over in Siem Reap province, delegates were satisfied with our warm hospitality and very good arrangements. They were warmly welcomed during the dinner hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and arranged for various activities to visit Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, Taprum Temple as well as to join the tree planting movement in the area of Preah Khan temple.

Then, the rally leaved Siem Reap for Phnom Penh on 5th December 2012. On the way from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, the delegates visited 1000-year bridge of Kompong Kdey and had a stop-over for lunch at Solar Café, the village homestay, in Baray district, Kompong Thom province. Thereafter, the rally reached Phnom Penh yesterday on 5th December 2012, and that all delegates were invited to join the dinner reception and music performance hosted by Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts at Chaktomuk Hall.  

Overall, all delegates have good impression about Cambodia and feel very happy to see the real Cambodia on their own eyes, and they wish to come back Cambodia again with their family, relatives and friends.

Today, the rally is gathered here for the flag-off ceremony under the honorable presence of Your Excellency Deputy Prime Minister and the High Representative of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Following the flag-off ceremony in Cambodia, the rally will proceed to Vietnam and make their way to Lao PDR by passing through Kratie and Stung Treng provinces, Cambodia. Then, it will continue to Thailand again and to myanmar before reaching Guwahati, India on 17th December 2012. Later, on 20th December 2012, a ceremonial flag down will be held in New Delhi by the Indian Prime Minister and other Head of States of all ASEAN countries.

On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia and the Inter-Ministerial Organizing Committee for the 2nd ASEAN-India Car Rally 2012, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the provincial Authorities, Phnom Penh Municipal Authority, and all stakeholders for good cooperation and facilitation of all forms to enhance possible access and the smooth process of rally to Cambodia, and I hope that there will be further good cooperation for the next rally.

Once again, I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to renew my profound thanks to H.E Dr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in-charge of the Office of Council of Ministers, and the High Representative of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E Ambassador, Head Delegates, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, and I hereby wish Excellency Deputy Prime Minister, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen the four Buddhist Blessings: Longevity, beauty, peace and strength.

My best wishes for all rally delegates to have a safe and pleasant travel on the way to India.

Thank you