Thai police have taken part in high-level ASEAN discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation against transnational crime, with a focus on regional security and joint enforcement across key threat areas. The meeting, held from 15 to 19 June 2026, was conducted via video conference with the Philippines acting as host.
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The ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) is a key multilateral mechanism under the ASEAN framework designed to facilitate information sharing and coordination among member states. It addresses cross-border criminal threats that impact regional stability and public safety.
Pol Gen Kittirat Phanpetch, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, assigned Pol Lt Gen Worawat Amornvivat, a senior expert within the force, to lead Thailand’s delegation. Pol Maj Gen Jaturaphat Phromkaeo, Commander of the Foreign Affairs Division and deputy spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, served as deputy head of the delegation. Thai representatives included officers from the Immigration Bureau, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, the Anti-Human Trafficking Division, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, and the Foreign Affairs Division, alongside external agencies including the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board.
Opening discussions involved ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste, followed by sessions with 10 dialogue partners: China, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, the European Union, Russia and the United States. Thailand highlighted five priority crime areas requiring stronger cooperation: drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime including call centre scams and online fraud, money laundering, and illegal wildlife and plant trade.
Officials said the outcomes of the meeting will be submitted to the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) for formal endorsement in August 2026. The discussions also form part of preparations for Thailand to assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2028, following Singapore.
Thaitabloid reported that authorities said the Royal Thai Police and relevant agencies will continue to strengthen regional cooperation mechanisms to improve public safety and reduce cross-border criminal threats.
Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 22 June 2026