Boats patrol the Mekong River to prevent and detect cross-border crime.

Four-nation Mekong patrol seeks to suppress cross-border crime 

Security personnel from Laos, China, Myanmar and Thailand are taking part in the 164th coordinated law enforcement patrol along the Mekong River, marking a continued effort to strengthen regional security and tackle cross-border crime.
The patrol, which began on April 20, brings together law enforcement agencies from all four nations to address a range of criminal activities affecting the Mekong River basin.
Key priorities of the operation include the suppression of telecommunications fraud schemes, the disruption of smuggling networks, and the prevention of illegal immigration involving unlawful entry and exit across borders.
Officials said the initiative is designed to maximise safety for commercial and civilian vessels navigating the Mekong River, a vital economic and transportation artery in Southeast Asia. By maintaining a visible and coordinated presence, authorities aim to deter criminal activity and ensure safer passage through the region.
In addition to patrols, participating agencies will convene a series of meetings. Discussions will focus on intelligence sharing, assessing the latest security developments in the Mekong region, and refining procedures for future joint enforcement efforts.
The ongoing collaboration reflects a broader commitment among the four nations to deepen cooperation, enhance regional stability, and respond more effectively to evolving security challenges along one of Asia’s most important waterways.
The four nations also carried out a joint patrol along the Mekong River last year, taking four days and three nights and covering a distance of 630 kilometres.
The patrol took place in the Golden Triangle area of the river, centred on Meuangmom and Chiangkok villages.
The Mekong, known as the Lancang River in China, is a vital waterway for cross-border shipping. The four countries have been conducting joint patrols on the river since December 2011.
In 2022, law enforcement authorities carried out 12 joint patrols, involving more than 200 boats and 2,700 law-enforcement personnel.
During the patrols, participants carried out search and rescue exercises and learnt how to deal with emergencies effectively.
Every year, Laos and neighbouring countries take part in joint patrols with the aim of cracking down on the burgeoning drug trade in this area, as well as other cross-border criminal activities.
The patrols have set a precedent for more transnational cooperation in regional security issues and have served to strengthen security on the Mekong, enabling safer cross-border trade.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest UpdateApril 23, 2026)