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GV Ministers seated at table. Phan Trong Tue signing agreement
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SV Dr. Upadit Pachriyankun, Thai Foreign Minister signs agreement
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SV Ministers exchange documents and shake hands
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SV Photographers take picture as Ministers toast (2 shots)
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Thailand and vietnam signed a commercial maritime agreement in Bangkok on Monday (22 January) as pro-Vietnamese forces clashed with troops loyal to Cambodian Premier Pol Pot near the Thai-Cambodia (Kampuchea) border.

SYNOPSIS: The first draft of the maritime agreement had earlier been signed in Hanoi and the Ministers gave their final approval to the pact at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. The first to sign the documents was Phan Trong Tue, the Vietnamese Communications Minister.

Then it was the turn of the Thai Foreign Minister, Doctor Upadit Pachriyankun. Under the agreement, both countries are expected to benefit equally.

The Ministers were pleased with the pact, even though the Cambodia war, involving Vietnamese-led forces, is moving closer each day to the Thai border. But the conflict has not yet produced an expected rush of refugees into Thailand. Despite the troubles, both Thailand and Vietnam seem well satisfied with their new shipping agreement.