September 9-11, 2024 – The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, alongside representatives from neighboring countries’ embassies, inaugurated a workshop commemorating 10 years of the P2P project and summarizing the outcomes of the NTS-Mekong Watch initiative.

Mr. Banchob Chantrarat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, welcomed notable attendees, including:

  • Mr. Bong Yik Jui, Acting Ambassador of Malaysia to Thailand
  • Ms. Seinn Lei Tun, Minister Counselor, Embassy of Myanmar to Thailand
  • Mr. SOK Vuthea, Minister Counselor, Embassy of Cambodia to Thailand
  • Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Director of Trade and Investment Facilitation at Mekong Institute
  • Mr. Komkrit Jongboonwatana, Director of East Asia Division 2, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The opening ceremony of the workshop took place at the S.D. Avenue Hotel, Bangkok. The event aimed to strengthen public diplomacy and participatory border management, marking 10 years of the P-to-P (People-to-People) initiative and concluding the NTS-Mekong Watch project for the fiscal year 2024. The workshop was attended by district officers from 128 border districts across 31 provinces in Thailand.

On this occasion, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration and honored guests delivered a special speech to express gratitude to the workshop participants for their contributions to promoting people-to-people diplomacy in fostering good relations with neighboring countries. This effort, sustained at the district, subdistrict, and village levels for over 10 years through the P-to-P initiative, highlights the crucial role of local governance in border areas.

Although the Department of Provincial Administration is not the primary agency for foreign affairs, its involvement in border areas is indispensable. District governors, serving as Area Managers, play a pivotal role in leading local communities. Their effectiveness in managing parallel city, subdistrict, and village partnerships and maintaining order along border regions directly impacts the quality of life and well-being of the local populations in these areas.

The workshop, conducted from September 9–11, 2024, sought to:

  1. Enhance border officers’ knowledge of diplomacy.
  2. Highlight the achievements of the administration in fostering cross-border relations.
  3. Reflect on and learn from the NTS-Mekong Watch project to align future initiatives with P-to-P and ASEAN’s Post-2025 Vision.

In addition to group activities, special lectures, and a field study visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the workshop featured a talk by border district officials who shared stories about the implementation of the P-to-P (People-to-People) and NTS-Mekong Watch projects. A special panel discussion titled “P-to-P Pathways to Building Strong Cross-Border Communities in the Mekong Region” included distinguished guests:

  • Mr. SOK Den, Governor of Kom Reang District, Battambang, Cambodia
  • Dr. Rattawit Tangkiatpachara, President of the Thai-Cambodian Border Trade and Tourism Association
  • Mr. Chakrapat Promklai, former Acting Governor of Na Haeo District
    The panel was moderated by Dr. Thanachet Visayajorn, Head of the Political Science Department, Ubon Ratchathani University.

As the NTS-Mekong Watch project concludes in December 2024, its principles will be expanded to 84 remaining border districts across the country. This will also involve upgrading the initiative under the “Beyond Border” framework, which emphasizes cross-border collaboration in all dimensions. The goal is to foster “Strong  – Cross Border  Communitiees ” capable of addressing emerging non-traditional security (NTS) threats nationwide.

The concept of non-traditional security (NTS) refers to challenges outside traditional military or defense concerns. These challenges include:

  • Environmental threats (e.g., climate change, natural disasters)
  • Human security issues (e.g., migration, public health, labor problems)
  • Transnational crimes (e.g., human trafficking, drug smuggling, online fraud)

These rapidly evolving threats disproportionately impact local populations. Thus, it is crucial to raise public awareness (NTS Literacy) and support accessible and dependable local leaders (Change Heroes/Agents). Model areas (Best Practices) and parallel area collaborations are also essential to ensure that border communities thrive and enjoy improved quality of life.

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