Phnom Penh – During an official visit to Indonesia, Cambodia’s Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen received an extraordinary state-level welcome from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, marking a significant moment in strengthening bilateral relations between Cambodia and Indonesia.
The visit, which included high-level meetings and strategic cooperation discussions, also resulted in a potential boost to tourism: Indonesia’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia, is exploring the launch of a direct flight route from Jakarta to Siem Reap province.
Garuda Indonesia Eyes Siem Reap for Direct Route Expansion
Chem Widhya, Chairman of the Senate Committee for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Media, and Information, revealed this development at a press conference held on Friday, May 9, outlining the outcomes of Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s recent official trip to Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
“In addition to the current AirAsia route connecting Phnom Penh and Jakarta, Garuda Indonesia is now studying the feasibility of launching a direct flight from Jakarta to Siem Reap,” Widhya stated. “This new route could be operational in the near future.”
The planned route is expected to facilitate greater tourist exchange and promote Siem Reap as a prime destination for Indonesian travellers. Siem Reap is home to the world-renowned Angkor Wat temple complex and remains Cambodia’s top tourist draw.
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation Beyond Tourism
Beyond the tourism boost, the visit also led to reaffirmed commitments by both nations to tackle pressing regional issues, including transnational crimes such as scamming and drug trafficking. These challenges remain major concerns for Southeast Asian governments and require ongoing coordination and joint action.
A Reception Fit for Royalty: State-Level Honours for Samdech Techo Hun Sen
During the press conference, Chem Widhya highlighted the exceptional level of honour shown to Samdech Techo Hun Sen during his stay in Indonesia, describing the visit as “far exceeding the standard protocol of a working visit.”
He noted that President Prabowo Subianto had personally ordered that Cambodia’s Senate President be received with full state honours. This included an official motorcade of 15 vehicles—far beyond the customary two vehicles typically assigned for working visits—and the presence of a ceremonial cavalry guard, a gesture usually reserved for reigning monarchs and heads of state.
“This was not just a diplomatic courtesy,” Widhya emphasised. “It was a strong statement of respect and recognition of Cambodia’s importance as a regional partner.”
Cambodia–Indonesia Relations on a New Trajectory
The high-level meetings and gestures of goodwill signal a new phase in Cambodia–Indonesia relations, focusing not only on political and diplomatic engagement but also on practical initiatives such as direct air connectivity, regional crime prevention, and people-to-people ties.
The prospective Jakarta–Siem Reap flight, once finalised, could significantly enhance economic and cultural links between the two countries and further cement Siem Reap’s role as a regional tourism hub.
