ONCB/DLO Meeting and Study Trip on Narcotics Suppression and Interdiction along Mekong River

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board has organized the ONCB/DLO Meeting and Study Trip on Narcotics Suppression and Interdiction along Mekong River during 16 - 17 December 2004 in Chiang Rai, and at the Border Liaison Offices-BLOs in Union of Myanmar and Lao PDR.

The objectives of the meeting are to furnish international drugs liaison officers stationed in Thailand with updated drugs situation especially in the border area including along Mekong River, and to discuss on existing mechanism combating the problem in order to enhance our mutual future cooperation in fighting against illicit drugs trafficking. Meanwhile, the study visit trip will prevail international communities to see and witness the existing sub-regional cooperation in the field between Thailand, Myanmar, and Lao PDR on drugs suppression and interdiction along Mekong River done by various border liaison offices scattered along the river so as to reaffirm the international communities of the strong determination of countries in this sub-region to combat drugs problem particularly the closed cooperation in coping with illicit drugs trafficking and to create better understanding on the narcotics control measures undertaken in this area to accomplish Drug Free ASEAN 2015.

Pol.Lt.Gen.Krisna Polananta - Secretary-General, NCB, Mr. Nopporn Thonrub - deputy governor of Chiang Rai Province, and Mr. Yngve Danling - UNODC Law Enforcement Advisor, gave addresses on the opening ceremony on December 16, 2004. Later on, Mr. Chartchai Suthiklom - Deputy Secretary-General, NCB, and Mr. Sukhum Opasnipath - Director of Narcotics Law Enforcement Bureau, made presentations on Drugs Situation in Thailand and the Region and Drugs Control Cooperation among Thailand and Neighbouring Countries, respectively.

On December 17, 2004, the group of DLOs, concerned Royal Thai Government agencies and ONCB officers led by Pol.Lt.Gen.Krisna Polananta paid official visit at Chiang Saen Cargo Port - Thailand, Ban Mom BLO - Lao PDR, and Wan Pong BLO - Myanmar. At Chiang Saen Port, the group attended a briefing on international trades by Chief of Chiang Saen Customs and Port Manager. After couple hours of motor-boats cruising along Mekong River, the group had been warmly welcomed by Mr. Sinual Phommachanh - Chief of Police of Bokeo Province and Police Major Kyaw San - Supervisor of Tachileik Anti Narcotics Unit, at Ban Mom BLO, and Wan Pong BLO, respectively.