Thailand supports Cambodia's anti-drug project

BANGKOK, December 18 (TNA) - The Thai government has provided financial support for the construction of Cambodia's National Vocational Training and Rehabilitation Center, as part of a regional move to turn the ASEAN Community (AC) to become a free zone of narcotics over the next 10 years. Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong has presented a fund of 38.01 million baht to support the construction of the Cambodian National Vocational Training and Rehabilitation Center, located in Sihanoukville Province, to Cambodia's Acting Director of the National Authority for Combating Drugs Kao Kondara in Phnom Penh on behalf of the Thai government. The Thai Cabinet recently approved the financial support to Cambodia, after the issue was raised by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to his Thai counterpart during the 3rd Joint Thai-Cambodian Cabinet Retreat held in the Cambodian capital over the past few months. Besides, the construction of the Cambodian National Vocational Training and Rehabilitation Center has been funded by other allied countries, public donations and assets seized from arrested drug traders in Cambodia. Thailand's support to the Cambodian four-building National Vocational Training and Rehabilitation Center, in which traning programs on proper knowledge against drugs and rehabilitation of drug addicts will also be organized, is in line with not only the ASEAN action plan on turning the 10-nation ASEAN Community to become a world drug free zone during 2016-2025, but also the Thai government's policy on fostering sound relations with neighboring countries and the international community based on the equal development and support. The anti-drug cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia is also aimed to enhance the two neighboring countries' efficiency in the solution to drug-related problems, covering cross-border drug trafficking and crime, as well as public health issues through, for instance, the training programs, an initiative on parallel white villages along the common border and Cambodia's Safe Mekong Project. During his visit to Cambodia late last week, the Thai deputy prime minister and justice minister also stressed on the Thai government's policy on taking good care of migrant workers, including those from Cambodia. (TNA)