On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 10:00 AM, under the direction of Mrs. Wajiraporn Amatayakul, Director of the Technical Services and Planning Bureau at the Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior, Ms. Sukhumal Wiriyothin, Director of the Foreign Affairs Division, and the Enhancing People-to-People Connectivity to Address Non-Traditional Security Challenges in the Mekong Region (NTS -Mekong Watch) team organized the online training session. The aim was to enhance understanding of non traditional security threats (NTS) in the Mekong Region via a Zoom Meeting. The training was attended by personnel from the Department of Provincial Administration, village headmen, community leaders, and security officials from 44 target districts along the Thai-Lao and Thai-Cambodia borders.
This second training session focused on the theme, “Unite Regional Unity: Driving Efforts to Tackle Non-Traditional Security Threats in the Mekong Region.” The guest speaker was Dr. Arm Tangnirandorn, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University.
Dr. Arm highlighted that the ongoing conflicts and trade wars between major powers, such as the United States and China, have prompted both countries to reduce their reliance on each other’s economies by diversifying investments into regions like ASEAN. This dynamic marks a golden era for ASEAN, and Thailand must ensure stability across all dimensions to attract investors. A secure environment free from transnational crime is crucial, as no nation would invest in a country plagued by such issues. Local leaders and residents in border areas play a vital role in monitoring and preventing crimes in their communities.
Additionally, Dr. Arm pointed out that the Mekong region faces multifaceted NTS challenges, including drug trafficking, online scams, food security, energy concerns, and threats to natural resources. One significant issue is the construction of multiple dams on the Mekong River by China for hydroelectric power generation. These developments are expected to have both direct and indirect impacts on the livelihoods of communities along the river. However, the lack of comprehensive official data on these impacts hinders opposition efforts and makes it challenging to halt dam construction. Dr. Arm emphasized the importance of grassroots vigilance, as local populations are most aware of the effects. Their insights can serve as critical data for the government to formulate policies that align with local and national interests.
The third and final session of this training series is scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 10:00 AM, under the theme, “From Awareness to Action: Building Active Citizenship and Policy Advocacy to Tackle NTS in the Mekong.”
