Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BANGKOK5376
2007-10-12 00:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:  

EXBS: INTERNATIONAL BORDER (LAND) INTERDICTION

Tags:  ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH 
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VZCZCXRO7473
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHBK #5376/01 2850043
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 120043Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0138
RHFJUSC/CUSTOMS WASHDC//EXRBS//
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 4230
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BANGKOK 005376 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ISN/ECC YWONG, ACHURCH, ROWEN, EAP/MLS DRICHELSOPH
CBP/INA FOR RWATT, JGOUGE
USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH
SUBJECT: EXBS: INTERNATIONAL BORDER (LAND) INTERDICTION
TRAINING II (IBIT II) TRAINING, ARANYAPRATHET, THAILAND
SEPTEMBER 17-21, 2007

BANGKOK 00005376 001.2 OF 003


BACKGROUND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BANGKOK 005376

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ISN/ECC YWONG, ACHURCH, ROWEN, EAP/MLS DRICHELSOPH
CBP/INA FOR RWATT, JGOUGE
USDOE/NNSA FOR TPERRY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH
SUBJECT: EXBS: INTERNATIONAL BORDER (LAND) INTERDICTION
TRAINING II (IBIT II) TRAINING, ARANYAPRATHET, THAILAND
SEPTEMBER 17-21, 2007

BANGKOK 00005376 001.2 OF 003


BACKGROUND


1. An invitation cable was presented to the Kingdom of
Thailand to conduct a 5-day course on International Border
(Land) Interdiction Training (IBIT II) at a designated land
border in September 2007. The invitation was accepted for
training to occur September 17-21, 2007. The location was
identified as Aranyaprathet, Sakaeo Province, on the
Cambodian border with Thailand.

COURSE OBJECTIVES


2. The IBIT II course objective is to further the
informational exchange with partner nations by reinforcing
inspectional techniques and methodologies with foreign
counterpart law enforcement agencies in the nations' own
operating environment. Emphasis is placed on a
multi-layered enforcement approach, as utilized by U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in its own operating
environment. Skills and knowledge required for carrying out
effective inspection, detection, cargo and passenger
processing, and contraband seizure are covered. The end goal
of the program is to build an internal train-the-trainer
capacity and eventually infuse the curriculum into the formal
training academy of the host nation.


3. The course is designed to provide advanced level hands-on
training for foreign customs and border guard agencies in the
detection, identification, and interdiction of contraband,
with an emphasis on countering the cross-border proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction. Practical exercises comprise
the majority of the training and include: search of
vehicles, pedestrians, commercial cargo and large commercial
carriers, as the host country determines appropriate and
applicable to its' operating environment. All course
materials were in Thai and available for the participants to
take home. Room reservations were available, at no cost, to
those participants who chose to take advantage of the

convenience on being on-site with the training venue.

HIGHLIGHTS


4. The training began on Monday, 17 September 2007, and was
held at the Indochina Hotel in Aranyaprathet, Thailand. A
total of eighteen participants attended the course.
Participants represented the Royal Thai Customs, Royal Thai
Army Burapha Task Force, Border Patrol Police, Sakaeo City
hall, Sakaeo Provincial Police Division, and the
Aranyaprathet Immigration Office. The training session was
opened by the Vice Governor of Sakaeo Province, who stressed
the importance of cooperation between the United States and
Thailand, and offered his thanks for the training that was
being conducted. A representative from each participating
agency gave a 10-15 minute overview of their areas of
responsibility. Several of the agencies provided a copy of
their presentation to the in-country advisor, William (Bill)
Comley, for informational purposes.


5. Blocks of instruction were presented on CBP Targeting,
Tools and Technology, Examining Containers, Seals, Targeting
and Risk management, Behavioral Analysis, Commodity Exams,
Concealment Methods, Document Analysis, Imposters, Passenger
Selectivity, Passenger Admission, Post Seizure Analysis, and
Explosives. Classroom practical exercises and film clips
were incorporated throughout the week to re-enforce classroom
instruction and allow the participants to exercise their
knowledge and skills in the subjects. Particular interest
was expressed regarding handling pedestrian traffic (false
documents, behavioral analysis, etc.) and targeting
techniques (use of intel, analysis, etc.).


6. Classroom instruction and on-site practical exercises,
utilizing inspection and detection equipment were conducted
on Tuesday and Wednesday, 18 & 19 September 2007. The
inspection and detection equipment, which had been previously
procured by the Department of State, included contraband
detection kit(s),and personal radiation detectors (PRDs).

BANGKOK 00005376 002.2 OF 003


CBP also provided multi-tools. The contraband detection kit
contained a fiber optic scope, density meter (buster),
inspectional mirror with flashlight, and a laser range
finder.


7. On Thursday, 20 September 2007, the training team and
in-country Advisor visited the Port of Entry (POE),at the
request of the Aranyaprathet Immigration Office to observe,
critique, and advise on their operations. The U.S.
representatives arrived shortly after the POE opened to
passenger traffic. The operations were observed for
approximately 1-hour. Recommendations to the Aranyaprathet
POE included, but were not limited to, gaining better control
over the entry point by restricting entrance through one main
corridor, preventing access through alternate points of
entry, and capturing personal information in their automated
system on entry VISAs - it appeared that a rapid display of
an individuals photo was the only information used in
authorizing entry.


8. The training team and in-country Advisor returned to the
POE with the delegation the same day. The participants were
allowed to utilize the training received in the classroom,
such as, container inspection techniques, targeting,
selectivity, and concealment methods. They were also
provided further training on the use of the fiber optic
scopes, busters, and laser range finders. The equipment was
left at the POE to allow the Thai officers an opportunity to
accustom themselves with the equipment and use the equipment
in their daily operations. The training team and in-country
participants were provided photos of their use of the
equipment on Friday morning.


9. The course was very well received by the participants.
They were eager to participate in class discussions,
practical exercises, and question and answer sessions. The
participants appeared committed to learning skills related to
improving job performance and with sharing information about
the issues they face in their jobs.


10. On Friday, 21 September 2007, the Aranyaprathet Port
Director accepted the donation of one CT-30 kit and PRDs.
Graduation was held with each participant receiving a
certificate of completion for the course along with a class
photo. A CD was also provided to each agency which included
photos of activities that had occurred throughout the week.

ANALYSIS OF PARTICIPANT CRITIQUES


11. The critiques were very positive. The participants
thought the subject matter and lessons to be beneficial
(especially those related to container examinations,
inspection techniques, passenger selectivity, and field
exercises). The critiques revealed that the participants
felt the curriculum was beneficial and useful, and expressed
a desire for additional border security-related training with
recommendations that the training be offered at other POEs.
There were no suggested modifications or improvements to the
training.

FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS


12. Based upon the positive feedback and enthusiastic
participation by the students, it is recommended that
additional training be provided to Thai law enforcement
personnel with border security-related responsibilities at
other critical POEs to include sea and air ports of entry.
Instruction in targeting and risk analysis, false documents
and behavioral analysis would address areas of particular
need. In addition, it is recommended that future training(s)
be held at a central location and travel to the POE occurs on
the day of the practical exercise. In having a central
location, it would alleviate the problem of participants
being required to leave the training venue to continue with
their daily work. It would also allow all participants an
opportunity to graduate with their fellow officers versus
being pulled from the class on the final day of the course.

BANGKOK 00005376 003.2 OF 003




13. This report was prepared by the CBP team in coordination
with the EXBS Advisor.
BOYCE