THAILAND JOINS IN THE PATROL OF MALACCA STRAITS

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab

SINGAPORE, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- Thailand has become the fourth country to join in the patrol in the Straits of Malacca, according to the Singapore Defence Ministry.

Its participation in the patrol was formalised when it signed the revised
Standard Operating Procedures and Terms of Reference for the Malacca Straits
Patrols (MSP) Joint Coordinating Committee at a ceremony in Bangkok
Thursday.

The ceremony was witnessed by the armed forces chiefs of Indonesia,
Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand in Bangkok today, the ministry said in a
statement.

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have been working together to enhance
maritime security in the Straits of Malacca and the Straits of Singapore since
the launch of the Malacca Straits Sea Patrols in July 2004.

Subsequently, the three littoral states implemented the 'Eyes in the Sky'
combined maritime air patrols in September 2005 and the MSP Intelligence
Exchange Group, a year later.

The MSP initiative demonstrated the commitment of Indonesia, Malaysia,
Singapore and Thailand in enhancing security in the Straits of Malacca, added
the ministry.