Malaysia, Thailand agree to build border wall amid trafficking woes

[webfact]

Malaysia, Thailand Agree to Build Border Wall Amid Trafficking Woes
By Prashanth Parameswaran

The two countries will jointly construct a barrier against cross-border crime.

BANGKOK: -- Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to build a wall along their common border next year amid growing concerns about human trafficking.

The 640-kilometer Malaysia-Thailand border has long been the site of transnational crime, including the rampant smuggling of weapons, drugs, and people. In May, the issue sparked international furor following the discovery of mass graves in jungle camps in Malaysia near the border used by suspected smugglers of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar (See: “Can Southeast Asia Tackle its Human Trafficking Problem?”). Similar graves were discovered in Thailand, which again received the lowest ranking in the U.S. annual trafficking report this year.

On Monday, Malaysian Armed Forces chief Zulkifeli Mohd. Zin announced that the two countries had reached a pact to build a border wall at the General Border Committee Meeting.

The idea of building structures to contain cross-border crime itself is not new to the two countries.

Full story: http://thediplomat.com/2015/09/malaysia-thailand-agree-to-build-border-wall-amid-trafficking-woes/

-- THE DIPLOMAT 2015-09-15

[starky]

Just going further and further into the past under the military. Checkpoint Somchai coming soon

[PatOngo]

I hope they engage Donald Trump as the project consultant.

[Reigntax]

Yes, but the wall will have many secret doors for those in the know!

[davehowden]

With doors every 100 meters, psst, the Thai policeman has the keys for the door, OK, understand?

[bangkokfrog]

A wall is only as good as the people who patrol it. In fact, the fees may go up slightly to cover the rental cost of ladders.

[jaywalker]

Construction is already underway.

[ChrisY1]

Building a wall.........?

640 kms of effective wall is a massive project.........some very rugged country to pass........and how do they maintain a patrol force to cover this distance?

Serious traffickers will continue through, over or under......or simply bribe!

[englishoak]

huh, stupid is as stupid does. What are they gonna call it, the great wall of Thailand ?

[Thian]

Good they don't have boats to sail around the wall.

[kotsak]

Source: http://okok1111111111.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-us-mexico-border-border-wall-fence.html

Edited September 15, 2015 by kotsak

[thesetat2013]

Building a wall.........?

640 kms of effective wall is a massive project.........some very rugged country to pass........and how do they maintain a patrol force to cover this distance?

Serious traffickers will continue through, over or under......or simply bribe!

They are name it after China's wall.. The Great Wall of Thailand

[soomak]

Building a wall.........?

640 kms of effective wall is a massive project.........some very rugged country to pass........and how do they maintain a patrol force to cover this distance?

Serious traffickers will continue through, over or under......or simply bribe!

Israel built a barrier on the border with Egypt, 227 km, in about 2 years. The last part, 13 km in a very mountainous terrain, took another year to buld.

Anyhow, this barrier is very effective, and reduced almost to zero any illegal crossing, drug trafficking, human trafficking, etc.

Patrolling it is done by a few hundred people, with the help of drones, cameras, radars, etc.

[oldsailor35]

Building a wall.........?

640 kms of effective wall is a massive project.........some very rugged country to pass........and how do they maintain a patrol force to cover this distance?

Serious traffickers will continue through, over or under......or simply bribe!

Thousands of conscripts doing nothing but tending their generals gardens, or washing the kitchen pots.

[Srikcir]

This wall has been Prayut's dream before his coup. But its purpose was directed only to bomb making and no cost has been given. From The Nation 2013-05-28, "Prayut plans to 'fence off' the border":

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday floated the idea of putting up walls along the entire Thai-Malaysia border to block the smuggling of bombs and similar devices for use in attacks by insurgents. This proposal will be included in a meeting with Malaysian authorities next month.

According to the commander-in-chief, these walls would help prevent the delivery of explosives to insurgents in the deep South, while security officials can focus on breaking down networks of bomb-makers and bomb-assembly outfits.

"Many bomb-makers have become available after being released on bail as their cases have gone through the normal justice procedure," Prayuth said.

The Army chief did not provide details on the type of walls, the materials they would be built with or their height. He only used the Thai word for "fence" that will supposedly block smugglers from carrying contraband items across the border.

The general said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat and Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung had been told of this idea, and that Yingluck agreed with it in principle. Explaining the potential need for the walls, Prayuth said that though the 600-kilometre border is constantly patrolled, a personnel shortage had hampered continuous checks.

He said these walls could be constructed right away because there is no problem concerning the demarcation of the Thai-Malaysia border. He added that the issue would be raised in a meeting with Malaysian authorities on June 13, when Thai negotiators meet with insurgents' representatives and Malaysian authorities, as the facilitator in a peace dialogue.

"Though Malaysia has cooperated in checking border areas on its side, the long distance makes inspection difficult for both Thai and Malaysian officials," he added.

Devices used in making bombs have mostly been smuggled from other countries, with the exception of weapons-grade explosives, he said.

Frankly, the purchase of submarines is beginning to look more rational every day.

[maidee]

let's take the case of the TERRORIST BOMBER

he came into the country after bribing the border officer

mhhhhhhh... i think the wall will work as good as the one in the US to keep out mexicans

[Thian]

Building a wall.........?

640 kms of effective wall is a massive project.........some very rugged country to pass........and how do they maintain a patrol force to cover this distance?

Serious traffickers will continue through, over or under......or simply bribe!

Thousands of conscripts doing nothing but tending their generals gardens, or washing the kitchen pots.

Yesterday on thai tv i saw about 20 thai navy soldiers who had to smash their cellphones with a rock. They had been playing too much on it while on duty.

But a huge wall around Thailand might be the new tourist atraction. Chinese will all flock to make a pic of it i guess.

Edited September 15, 2015 by Thian

[Bakseeda]

Bring in the Mexican tunnel builders..... Nae problem..!

[razer]

They can get Donald Trump's company to be the contractor. He says he is an expert at building walls.

[FangFerang]

The mind boggles.

[whatproblem]

Great business opportunities in ladder manufacturing down there then

[masuk]

Building a wall.........?

640 kms of effective wall is a massive project.........some very rugged country to pass........and how do they maintain a patrol force to cover this distance?

Serious traffickers will continue through, over or under......or simply bribe!

you forgot 'around'.

Seriously, this will take years to complete. In the meantime, having recently read about the Thai border police and their love of some cash, the word 'porous' comes to mind.

[dcsw53]

I am all for security, but have the feeling that this will be a complete waste of money.

As the Americans have seen with Mexico and the Hungarians saw within hours with the Serbs, creating an effective barrier is impossible unless you throw billions of baht at it. The refugees in Serbia breached the new fence within hours, building something that works within the law ( no land mines ) and maintaining it is economically impossible for Thailand and Malaysia.

[webfact]

Border wall to be built between Malaysia and Thailand next year

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to build a wall along their common border next year to tighten surveillance, The Star Online reported.

This was revealed by Malaysian Armed Forces chief Gen Tan Sri Dr Zulkifeli Mohd Zin who said on Monday that the pact was reached at the General Border Committee meeting and it would be referred to Parliament for provision of allocations.

He said several sections along the border had been identified for the construction of a wall, with construction and maintenance costs funded by both countries.

“If we had to build a wall or fence in the past, it would have to be on the Malaysian side while Thailand would build their own structure. Now, we will only build one wall on the border between the two countries.

“From the aspect of patrolling, Thailand will inspect their side and we, on ours. It is more practical and saves costs for both countries,” he told reporters after the 32nd Malaysia-Thailand High Level Committee Meeting here Monday.

Also present was Thailand’s Armed Forces chief Gen Worapong Sanganetra.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/border-wall-to-be-built-between-malaysia-and-thailand-next-year


-- Thai PBS 2015-09-15

[Anthony5]

They should contact Berlin, they may still have some precast pieces laying around, of which they want to get rid at any price.

[exbikey]

Please, please, please. Can we get Pink Floyd over to do a gig to celebrate the construction of this Wall?

On second thoughts just bring them over for the signing of the contract to build the wall, most members of the band won't be around to see the completion.

Edited September 15, 2015 by exbikey

[Pib]

Seems "talking" wall building between countries is now in fashion (again).

[Credo]

huh, stupid is as stupid does. What are they gonna call it, the great wall of Thailand ?

Only if it is made of plastic bags.

[anto]

huh, stupid is as stupid does. What are they gonna call it, the great wall of Thailand ?

Is the US stupid also for building an even longer wall with Mexico ?..need i ask that this is just another way to get a dig at Thailand .

Edited September 15, 2015 by anto

[Credo]

I have a feeling that this won't be a wall, but it will be a fence and I also have a feeling that winning bid will be to a relative of someone important and I have a feeling it's going to be a very, very expensive fence.