Joint Mekong Operation Centre office opened

CHIANG RAI, Sept 23 (TNA) -- A new office building for the joint Mekong Operation Centre is opened in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province as law enforcement units of countries in the Mekong River are committed to joint operation against crimes and drug smuggling. Located at Chiang Saen Pier on the bank of the international river, the center will be used for joint operation against illegal drug smuggling and crime prevention along the Mekong River among China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Officials from the four countries attended the opening ceremony and showed their commitment in Safe Mekong and further cooperation under ASEAN Community frameworks. The four Mekong countries have joined hands in joint patrol along a stretch of 344 kilometers of the river since launching the operation in 2011. Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board, Royal Thai Navy, Royal Thai Army and Interior Ministry have coordinated in the operation. Safe Mekong was initiated after 13 Chinese sailors were murdered in 2011 on two cargo ships carrying 920,000 methamphetamine tablets. The bodies were dumped into the river about 25 kilometres north of Chiang Saen district in Chiang Rai, near the border with Myanmar and Laos. Joint patrols on the Mekong, information sharing and law enforcement operations have since been stepped up among the Mekong countries. (TNA)