Thailand and Malaysia agree to extend border security wall

Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to lengthen a border security wall by another 10 kilometres, Thai News Agency reported Wednesday.

The agreement was reached Tuesday at a meeting in Songkhla, Thailand, between Fourth Army Region Gen Viroj Buajaroon and Lt Gen Zulkifli bin Mohammad Zin, Malaysian regional commander.

The extension would more than quadruple the length of the existing 3-kilometre-long fence near Songkhla's Sadao district and opposite Malaysia's Kedah state.

Both countries would meet again Thursday to work out details on the project.

The countries also agreed to increase routine patrols along the border and share security-related information.

Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has proposed extending the existing border wall by 27 kilometres to improve security in the deep South and prevent the flow of illegal workers across the common border.

The Nation