Bangkok, August 25 (AseanAll)  — Thai Cabinet, during its meeting on 23 August 2023, approved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Maritime Law Enforcement Cooperation between the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center and the Vietnam Coast Guard.

The MOU aims to promote maritime law enforcement cooperation and enhance regional maritime safety and security in four areas: (1) smuggling of migrants and illegal goods, (2) prevention and suppression of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, (3) conservation of marine resources and environment, and (4) marine safety enhancement in search and rescue operations.

Both Thailand and Vietnam have agreed on the scope of cooperation, which includes (1) information sharing on the smuggling of migrants and illegal goods, (2) prevention and suppression of IUU fishing, drug trafficking, piracy, and armed robbery, (3) marine search and rescue operations, (4) marine conservation, (5) joint patrol operation, (6) port visit, (7) annual performance evaluation, and (8) other activities or operations as mutually agreed.

The draft MOU is not regarded as an agreement under Section 178 of the Constitution of Thailand. The Cabinet decided to approve the MOU, as it is not legally binding for the next government.

Vietnam has approved the draft MOU and proposed that it be signed in September 2023. This MOU becomes effective on the day it is signed.