On 6 - 10 August 2018, Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Center (Thai-MECC) organised Crisis Management Exercise (C-MEX 18), along with the field training exercises for the fiscal year 2018 in the upper areas of the Gulf of Thailand, Chonburi Province. The exercises were aimed at promoting better understanding in conducting joint maritime operations among concerned agencies under Thai-MECC, which includes the Royal Thai Navy, Marine Police Division, Customs Department, Marine Department, Department of Fisheries, and Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, as part of the preparations to empower Thai-MECC to become the Maritime Enforcement Administration Center in the future.

 

The exercises were organised in two main parts; a discussion seminar and field training. The focus this year was placed on enhancing personnel inspection capacity in order to prevent and handle new forms of threats to maritime security such as illegal fishing, particularly by former Thai vessels which have registered with other flag states and have engaged in illegal fishing activities in Thai waters, and cargo vessels subjected to the UN sanctions that have smuggled dual-use goods such as radioactive elements in the Thai waters.

 

The field training exercises ranged from air and sea patrol vessels inspection, assistance provided by multi-disciplinary teams to the crew on board, and rapid law enforcement. This was aimed at equipping the staff with better skills through an integrated working environment in order to provide swift and effective prevention and prosecution.

 

The Royal Thai Government aims to upgrade Thai-MECC, which has been mandated to coordinate among concerned agencies to protect Thailand’s maritime interests, to become the Maritime Enforcement Administration Centre. This will enhance efficiency of the Centre in terms of unified command and in administering, or controlling the operation of all relevant agencies in the protection of maritime national interests in a more integrated, coordinated and efficient manner. In this regard, the National Legislative Assembly has already approved in principle the Draft Maritime Enforcement Administration Act B.E. .… on 17 May 2018.