NONG KHAI: The United States on Thursday handed over 12 patrol boats to the Marine Police Division for operating in the Mekong River to combat drug and contraband smugglings as well as transborder crime.
US Ambassador to Thailand, Robert F Godec, presented the patrol boats in a ceremony at the Marine Police Sub-Division 11 headquarters in Muang district, Nong Khai province.
The event was attended by Rachan Soonhua, the Nong Khai governor, Pol Maj Gen Wiwat Chaisangkha, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, and Pol Maj Gen Pritthipong Nuchanart, commander of the Marine Police Division.
Mr Godec said the donation was made under the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) cooperation between the US embassy in Thailand and the Royal Thai Police.
The boats, valued at 75.4 million baht (US$2.15 million) in total, are specially designed to operate in rivers with rapids and low water levels during the dry season.
Representatives from the US Coast Guard and the INL had also trained 24 marine police officers to use the patrol boats between Oct 16-26, Mr Godec said.
Mr Rachan said the patrol boats symbolise the good relations between the US and Thailand. They will play a crucial role in the operations of marine police along the Mekong River, contributing to the suppression of crime and various security threats, he added.
The 12 marine police stations along the Mekong River under the Marine Police Sub-Divisions 10, 11 and 12 will be assigned with one boat each.