KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to enhance border security cooperation and intelligence sharing to strengthen peace along their shared border following recent insurgent violence in southern Thailand, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Monday.
Speaking after meetings in Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan and National Security Council Director-General Raja Nurshirwan bin Zainal Abidin, Sihasak said both nations agreed to coordinate plans for border security fencing to prevent overlap and effectively target areas vulnerable to transnational crime and drug trafficking. The high-level discussions followed earlier talks between Thai and Malaysian leaders in July and aimed to address security concerns after outbreaks of violence in Thailand’s deep south on July 22 and Aug. 22.
The agreed measures prioritize accelerated, real-time intelligence exchanges to enable rapid responses to emerging security threats along the border. Both nations will also review key infrastructure projects—including roads, bridges, and rail networks—during the Joint Commission meeting in late October to enhance cross-border trade.
Regarding peace efforts, Thailand remains committed to continuing peace talks for the southern region, led by Thanat Suwannanon, Director of Thailand’s National Intelligence Agency. Malaysia is currently selecting a new facilitator for the peace dialogue. Sihasak emphasized that progress depends on stability on the ground, calling on all factions of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) insurgent group to cease violence and allow broader civic participation in the talks. Malaysian officials reaffirmed during the meeting that Thailand’s security is directly linked to Malaysia’s own, reassuring Bangkok that Malaysian territory will not be allowed to serve as a base for unlawful operations against Thailand. (TNA)
