Interior minister gives policies to governors of 32 Thai border provinces

BANGKOK, May 2 (TNA) - Thai Interior Minister General Anupong Paojinda has laid down his policies for the governors of 32 border provinces, including promoting sound relations with neighboring countries and further developing border areas. In his video conference with the governors on Friday, General Anupong told them to develop mutual trust with neighboring countries, suggesting that such efforts can happen through twin-city projects which cover the promotion of outstanding local products, cultural exchange and joint tourism campaigns. General Anupong said 10 Thai border provinces have already had 15 twin-city deals with border provinces of neighboring countries. Besides, there have been economic development projects in 10 border provinces and one stop service centers to provide potential investors with useful information from the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI). According to the interior minister, there have been 93 border crossings in 27 Thai provinces, while 25 new border crossings are about to be opened, including the temporary Singkorn border crossing in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province in the Upper Thai South, which will be opened later this month. The interior minister pointed out that there have also been initiatives to facilitate cross-border activities with Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, while electronic border passes will be introduced together with Malaysia and Cambodia in July 2015, which should help stop illegal immigration. The interior minister also ordered the governors to effectively stop human trafficking, while those of coastal provinces were instructed to tackle illegal labour on fishing boats. The interior minister ordered the governors to implement development projects as well, including royal development ones, in border villages to stop narcotic smuggling and to convince villagers to help protect the Thai borderline. (TNA)