PHNOM PENH, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej started his official visit in Cambodia on Monday to strengthen bilateral ties, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said.

    Samak visits here to introduce himself as the new Thai Prime Minister, a tradition for ASEAN (the Association of South East Asian Nations) leaders to do, the minister said.

    Samak and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will have official talks about regional and world issues, including the restoration of Cambodian national roads No. 48, 47 and 68 next to Cambodian-Thai border, Hor Namhong said.

    However, they would not talk about the Preah Vihear Temple which the Cambodian side requested to register as its world heritage. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An would visit Thailand and hold talks with the Thai side about the temple soon, he added.

    At the invitation of Hun Sen, Samak Sundaravej is leading a delegation to visit Cambodia from March 3 to 4.