Australia shares customs and border protection expertise with Thailand
The Australian Government, through the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS), recently funded a Thai Customs delegation two-week visit to Australia for capacity building programs. The visit, comprising 8 Thai Customs officers was the largest customs placement program to date with Thailand.
Upon their return to Thailand, two representatives shared their productive experiences in Australia and their determination to apply the knowledge gained to local customs operation.
Participating in the Air cargo placement program in Sydney, Mr Surapat Sikkares, Thai Customs Technical Officer, said he learnt the systematic practice of ACBPS including the advantages of having an integrated criminal record database in effectively identifying risks. Mr Sikkares was impressed with the capability of ACBPS’s dog detector unit and aspired to see similar units being established in Thailand. In addition, he valued Australia’s emphasis on operational safety for officers including tools such as glow-in-the-dark uniforms which could be embraced by Thai Customs too.
Mr Nipon Thongphuk, Thai Customs Technical Officer, experienced firsthand Australian Customs Enforcement operations in Melbourne. He was impressed with the effective use of CCTV and X-ray technologies in inspecting containers and the image analysis expertise of Australian officers
Not only did Australia share their expertise in Customs and Border Protection Service, the Thai Customs delegates also exchanged their knowledge and experience on a professional and cultural level on this visit. Mr Thongpuk appreciated the opportunity to continue the exchange of knowledge and existing collaboration between ACBPS and the Thai Customs department, which increases the knowledge and skills of both organisations.
The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service has enjoyed a close relationship with Royal Thai Customs over many years through a range of cooperative initiatives. The visit reinforces the intentions of Australia and Thailand to continue working more closely together in matters relating to customs and border protection. The visit has also further strengthened the bilateral relationship, particularly in 2012, the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Australia.
Thai Customs delegates strengthened their expertise through active engagement in hands-on operation with Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.
Thai Customs delegates exchanged their knowledge and experience on a professional and cultural level with Australian Custom and Border Protection officers in Australia.