The government has upgraded the status of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN)'s Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Centre (MECC) to handle security issues and protect marine resources.
The cabinet has approved a plan proposed by the Office of the National Security Council (NSC) to upgrade the MECC and make it a control centre for the protection of marine resources, said Royal Thai Navy chief Admiral Kraisorn Chansuwanit, yesterday.
The MECC control centre will come under the supervision of the Prime Minister's Office and the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Adm Kraisorn said.
In its new role, the control centre will oversee six maritime state offices: the RTN, the Marine Police Division, the Customs Department, the Department of Fisheries, the Marine Department, and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.
The MECC previously served as an operational centre for the protection of marine resources, but was upgraded in line with the NSC's maritime activity plans for 2015-2021.
Maritime threats will come under the newly upgraded centre's jurisdiction, said Adm Kraisorn.
Maritime threats have increased lately and include hijackings, terrorism, natural disasters and dangers posed by the illegal migrant workforce, he said.
The MECC will work with other state offices to protect national marine resources, Adm Kraisorn said.
The fully integrated centre would be able to tackle maritime problems and manage them more effectively, Adm Kraisorn said.
Admiral Thanarat Ubon, who is now the RTN's chief of staff, is also director of the MECC.
The new director said he had ordered his team to begin working on responses to current maritime challenges, particularly security issues.
The first meeting between members of the MECC, the NSC and the RTN will be held on Dec 26, Adm Thanarat said.
Maritime measures for 2015-2021 will be discussed at the meeting to be held at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall and be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.