Phumtham gives governors, district chiefs 6 months to ‘seal borders’
Transfers await top officials at 14 border provinces if they cannot curb cross-border drug smuggling, call centre scams and human trafficking within six months
Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai issued a warning to governors and district chiefs in 14 border provinces – expect to be transferred if borders are not secured against drug trafficking and transborder criminal gangs within six months.
Phumtham, who is also deputy prime minister, said on Tuesday that he will summon 14 provincial governors, 51 district chiefs, commanders of 76 police stations and 14 provincial police chiefs to a meeting on January 27.
The meeting will be presided over by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who will outline policies for border-related crimes. Regional military chiefs will also be attending.
Phumtham said it was important that all sides cooperate to seal the borders against drug smuggling and operations by call centres and human trafficking gangs. He said leaving the job to the military alone is not feasible.
The minister explained that this cooperation will result in two-layered security.
He set a six-month deadline for tangible results in reducing transborder crimes. Failure to meet this target, he said, will result in transfers.
