Mekong nations tighten anti-drug blitz
The Mekong region is no longer a mysterious place, as it has now become the world’s main hub of illicit drugs across multiple frontiers. Last month, anti-drug officials from riparian countries — Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, China — and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) met in a series of meetings in Bangkok to forge a new political agreement and plan that would strengthen their cooperation to address the deteriorating drug situation.
Thailand has been successful in destroying drug-producing sites along border areas. However, illicit drugs still flow into the country and go through neighbouring countries. The large amount of drug seizures inside Thai territory is extremely alarming. As such, Thailand needs to further strengthen cooperation with other Mekong riparian countries to map out common strategies to increase cross-border investigation and operation.
Kavi Chongkittavorn
