Regional border security discussed as transnational crime keeps pace with trade flow
The government and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have gathered 200 diplomatic, development bank and UN officials for a conference in Bangkok on improving border security to counter transnational organised.
Thailand and UNODC are seeking practical solutions to cross-border challenges that can be agreed on before Thailand assumes the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year.
Trade flow within the region has quadrupled over the past decade and is now estimated to exceed US$280 billion annually and is expected to reach $375 billion by 2025.
Infrastructure is being connected and planned to facilitate fast and efficient cross-border movement. At the same time, the criminal economy of East and Southeast Asia is growing, with regional transnational organised crime revenue conservatively estimated to exceed $100 billion annually – more than the gross domestic product of several Asean member-states.
There are also noticeable changes underway in some parts of the illicit economy, including a significant increase in synthetic drug production and trafficking, growing timber and wildlife trafficking, and indications of new human trafficking and migrant smuggling patterns.
“Asean economic and trade flows will continue to increase,” Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Prajin Juntong remarked as the conference began. “While this is positive, it also provides increased opportunities for transnational crime groups, who do not respect our borders.
“Illegal activities like trafficking often mirror legal flows and movements of goods and services, and as the economy expands criminal and even terrorist networks will look for ways to benefit. This is why we are partnering with UNODC on border liaison offices. They have the ability to gather states to discuss problems and formulate strategies, but also to offer practical solutions like BLOs.”
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith noted that the significant investments being made in infrastructure across the region make border management more relevant.
“We need to ensure that measures to address security concerns are integrated during the planning phase,” he said. “What we see as opportunities for economic and social development are seen by others as openings to expand cross-border criminal activity.”
