Cambodia and Thailand commit to fight cross-border crime

Cambodia and Thailand commit to fight cross-border crime

Thailand has agreed with Cambodian authorities to stop illegal Cambodian workers crossing the border into Thailand.

On Saturday, Cambodian border police met with Thai counterparts in Battambang province’s Sampov Loun district to discuss matters relating to illegal border crossings and environment issues.

Battambang provincial deputy police chief Colonel Soun Sira said that after the meeting, both sides have agreed to work together to stop illegal border crossings following the laws in both countries.

“Moreover, Thai police asked us to help them bring humanitarian aid to students attending school along the border. We also talked about doing a football match in the near future,” said Col Sira.

He also said that border authorities in both countries agreed to meet each other every month to discuss about challenges and opportunities along the border.

Provincial police chief Major General Sat Kimsan said that there has been a lot of effort to stop illegal cross-border crimes and a number of people have been arrested.

“Following the directive issued by the government, the illegal cross-border activities are banned. We still see people crossing the border to look for jobs in Thailand. We will do our best to stop them from doing so,” said Kimsan.

Last month, seven Cambodians were stopped as they attempted to illegally cross the border into Thailand by security forces on duty. They were stopped at Banteay Meanchey province’s Kbal Tumnup checkpoint.

The government has formed an inter-ministerial committee to prevent and combat cross-border crime, especially the illegal connection to and use of Cambodian telecommunication services.

Cambodia has also signed an agreement with Laos to cooperate in cracking down on all kinds of cross-border crimes and expanding the exchange of intelligence. Khmer Times