Australia gave two sniffer dogs to aid Thailand against drug trafficking.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) presented the two Labrador Retriever dogs, named Viking and Paddy, to the Customs Department in a ceremony at the Customs K-9 Training Centre in Samut Prakan province on December 4.

Theeraj Athanavanich, director-general of the Thai Customs Department, said the donation was part of an agreement signed with the ABF. Two Thai Customs officers also underwent specialised training in Melbourne, Australia from September 16 to November 8 for the initiative.   

He said: 'We thank the ABF for providing resources to the customs department, emphasising the long-standing partnership between both organisations. 

'Their support reflects our strong cooperation and is also a clear symbol of the shared goal of preventing and suppressing the drug trafficking between the two countries.'

The director-general emphasised that Thai Customs has successfully intercepted 40 drug cases worth 77.94 million baht (1.8 million GBP) in the current fiscal year. There were also 199 cannabis seizures totalling 13.27 million baht (306,000 GBP).  

Theeraj said the new K-9 members enhance security for by improving the detection of drugs. He also warned the public about increased smuggling risks during the coming holiday season.

Thailand has become a notorious hub for drug production and trafficking. In the north of the country, the ‘Golden Triangle' area shares borders with Laos and Myanmar, and has produced large amounts of opium since the 1950s but focus in recent years has shifted to the more profitable methamphetamine.

Officials believe most of the meth is produced in the Shan State of Myanmar before being distributed through neighbouring countries where prices are higher before ending up in the most expensive markets of Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.

(1 GBP = 43.32 THB)