Thailand, Malaysia Agree To Boost Border Security, Fight Transnational Crime

PUTRAJAYA, July 9 (NNN) -- Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to establish a joint working group to coordinate security barrier projects along the Golok River as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation against transnational crime, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.

"We agreed to strengthen cooperation to combat transnational crime along our shared border," he said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after their bilateral meeting at the Perdana Putra Complex on Thursday.

Anutin arrived in Malaysia on Thursday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Anwar. It is his first bilateral visit to Malaysia since his reappointment in March 2026.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, Thailand and Malaysia welcomed the establishment of the joint working group under the Regional Border Committee (RBC).

The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening border management and enhancing cooperation to combat transnational organised crime, including online scams, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and wildlife and timber trafficking.

Both sides also welcomed the close partnership in defence and security cooperation and noted the progress achieved under existing bilateral mechanisms, including the General Border Committee (GBC), the High-Level Committee (HLC) and RBC.

They agreed to further strengthen defence and security cooperation through regular exchanges of visits and joint exercises. 

The two leaders also agreed to intensify coordination between Thailand's Office of National Water Resources and Malaysia's Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation to strengthen technical cooperation on flood forecasting and monitoring in border areas.

On environmental cooperation, both prime ministers reaffirmed their commitment to addressing transboundary issues, including mitigating haze pollution, preventing open burning and conserving shared biodiversity along the border, according to the joint statement.

The leaders discussed the latest developments in Thailand's Southern Border Provinces (SBPs) and pledged continued support for the Peace Dialogue Process aimed at achieving lasting peace, security and prosperity in the region.

Anutin expressed appreciation to Anwar for Malaysia's sincere and constructive role in facilitating the peace process.

Both sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation to prevent acts of violence and bring perpetrators to justice.

--NNN- BERNAMA