AKP Phnom Penh, May 14, 2025 —

Cambodia and Thailand have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation in combating drug trafficking during their 15th Bilateral Meeting on Anti-Drug Cooperation held in Krabi province, Thailand today.

The meeting brought together key figures from both nations, including General Meas Vyrith, Secretary-General of Cambodia’s National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), and General Phanurat Lukboon, Secretary-General of Office of the Narcotics Control Board of Thailand.

General Phanurat Lukboon underscored the critical importance of sustained collaboration between Thailand and Cambodia in tackling drug-related crimes. He expressed his appreciation for Cambodia's consistent and effective implementation of agreements from previous bilateral meetings, which have contributed significantly to the peace, security, and development of both countries.

For his part, General Meas Vyrith conveyed his gratitude to the Thai royal government for its ongoing support in preventing cross-border drug trafficking, controlling the use of illegal substances, and curbing the diversion of chemical precursors. He stressed the need to enhance joint capabilities, improve information sharing, and conduct more collaborative investigations to bolster the effectiveness of anti-drug operations.

Following constructive discussions, both delegations agreed to prioritise cooperation in five key areas: Enhanced Monitoring: Strengthening the monitoring of narcotics, precursor chemicals, and other chemical substances to prevent their illicit movement;
Intelligence and Analysis: Improving drug analysis capabilities and the documentation of criminal profiles to better understand and target drug networks; Public Awareness and Prevention: Implementing joint public education campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and prevent initiation; Treatment and Rehabilitation: Collaborating on the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users to support their recovery and reintegration into society; Capacity Building: Enhancing the skills and resources of drug enforcement agencies through joint training and operational exercises.

Both Cambodia and Thailand acknowledged the meeting as a significant step forward, characterised by open dialogue, mutual respect, and a spirit of friendship. The agreed-upon priorities will serve as a strategic framework for deepening bilateral cooperation and strengthening regional mechanisms to combat drug trafficking with greater impact.

This meeting underscores the ongoing commitment of both nations to address the transnational challenge of drug trafficking and its impact on regional security and public health.

By K. Rithy Reak