Between June 15 and September 15, 2024, under the NTS-Mekong Watch Project: Enhancing People-to-People Connectivity to Address Non-Traditional Security Challenges in the Mekong Region, the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) allocated a budget of 80,000 THB per district to 44 target border districts along the Thai-Lao and Thai-Cambodian borders. These funds supported activities fostering People-to-People Connectivity (P2P), including cultural exchanges, sports, and educational activities to strengthen ties between Thai and neighboring communities through grassroots diplomacy. Local administrative officials, community leaders, and residents from parallel areas were invited to Thailand to participate. These activities have been consistently implemented over the past decade.

This year, to further strengthen the cross-border community-building approach, districts organized meetings of the NTS-Mekong Watch Coordination Center. These meetings facilitated discussions between representatives from parallel areas on issues affecting quality of life, such as healthcare, education, environmental conservation, opening permanent border crossings, temporary crossing points, and tackling emerging security threats. Key issues included drug trafficking, online fraud, illegal immigration, and cross-border smuggling. The meetings aimed to foster mutual understanding of governance and legal frameworks, enabling both sides to disseminate this knowledge to their citizens effectively.

The NTS-Mekong Watch Project was proposed by DOPA and supported by the 6th Mekong-ROK Cooperation Fund (MKCF), managed by the Mekong Institute (MI). The project aims to promote comprehensive sub-regional cooperation to address cross-border crimes effectively in Thai-Lao and Thai-Cambodian border areas. Key focus areas include combating human trafficking, drug smuggling, and illegal immigration.

The project’s implementation  “Building Strong Cross Border Communities” framework emphasizes:

  1. Encouraging mutual legal and regulatory understanding among citizens and officials in parallel areas.
  2. Applying humanitarian principles in decision-making for the well-being of affected communities.
  3. Enforcing laws without discrimination, particularly for serious crimes.

These foundational principles aim to build trust, mutual understanding, and solidarity between communities, ensuring robust collaboration. Strong, unified border communities serve as a shield against emerging security threats, achieving sustainable resilience.

Target Districts and Parallel Areas

Lao PDR

No. Thai Province District Lao Province Town
1 Chiang Rai Chiang Khong Bokeo Houayxay
Bokeo Ton Pheung
2 Chiang Rai Chiang Saen Bokeo Ton Pheung
3 Chiang Rai Wiang Kaen Bokeo Houayxay
4 Chiang Rai Thoeng Xayaburi Khop
5 Nan Chalerm Phrakiat Xayaburi Ngon
6 Nan Song Khwae Xayaburi Chiang Hon
7 Loei Tha Li Xayaburi Kenethao
8 Loei Chiang Khan Vientiane Sanakham
9 Loei Pak Chom Vientiane Sanakham
10 Loei Na Haeo Xayaburi Boten
11 Loei Dan Sai Xayaburi Boten
12 Nong Khai Mueang Nong Khai Vientiane Capital Hadxayfong
13 Nong Khai Rattanawapi Bolikhamxay Tha Pha Bat
14 Nong Khai Phon Phisai Vientiane Capital Pak Ngum
15 Nong Khai Si Chiang Mai Vientiane Capital Sikhottabong
16 Nong Khai Sangkhom Vientiane Capital Sangthong
17 Bueng Kan Mueang Bueng Kan Bolikhamxay Pakxan
18 Bueng Kan Bung Khla Vientiane Capital Pak Kading
19 Bueng Kan Pak Khat Bolikhamxay Tha Pha Bat
20 Nakhon Phanom Mueang Nakhon Phanom Khammouane Thakhek
21 Nakhon Phanom Ban Phaeng Bolikhamxay Pak Kading
22 Nakhon Phanom That Phanom Khammouane Nong Bok
23 Nakhon Phanom Tha Uthen Khammouane Hinboun
24 Mukdahan Mueang Mukdahan Savannakhet Kaysone Phomvihane
25 Ubon Ratchathani Na Tan Salavan Lakhonpheng
26 Ubon Ratchathani Sirindhorn Champasak Phonthong
27 Ubon Ratchathani Khong Chiam Salavan Khongxedon
28 Ubon Ratchathani Pho Sai Salavan Lakhonpheng
29 Ubon Ratchathani Buntharik Champasak Soukhouma
30 Uttaradit Ban Khok Xayaburi Paklay
31 Phayao Phu Sang Xayaburi Khop
32 Amnat Charoen Chanuman Savannakhet Xaiphouthong

Cambodia

No. Thai Province District Cambodian Province District
34 Sisaket Phu Sing Oddar Meanchey Anlong Veng
35 Surin Kap Choeng Oddar Meanchey Samraong
36 Chanthaburi Pong Nam Ron Battambang Krom Reang
Pailin Sala Krao
37 Chanthaburi Soi Dao Battambang Phnom Proek
38 Trat Khlong Yai Koh Kong Mondol Seima
39 Trat Bo Rai Battambang Samlot
40 Ubon Ratchathani Nam Yuen Preah Vihear Chom Khsan
41 Sa Kaeo Ta Phraya Banteay Meanchey Thma Puok
42 Sa Kaeo Aranyaprathet Banteay Meanchey Poipet
Malai
43 Sa Kaeo Khlong Hat Battambang Sampov Lun
44 Buriram Ban Kruat Oddar Meanchey Banteay Ampil