New Chinese vessels commissioned for Mekong River joint patrol

Two new Chinese law enforcement vessels were officially commissioned on Monday to support joint patrols and law enforcement missions by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand on the Mekong River.

The two vessels are respectively the new command vessel No. 53108 and the high-speed patrol law enforcement vessel No. 53117. Their performance and functions have been enhanced and expanded to meet the requirements of joint Mekong River patrols and law enforcement missions for the new era.

More than 200 representatives from law enforcement departments and guests from all walks of life from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand participated in the handover ceremony.

The vessel No. 53108 will participate in the 148th joint patrol on the Mekong River.

The Mekong River, also known as the Lancang River in China, is an important waterway for cross-border transportation. Since December 2011, the four countries have been conducting joint river patrols.

A freight train and a bus collided in Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday afternoon, killing at least eight people, local media reported.

At around 15:40, a train collided with a bus at a railway crossing in Ratchathewi District, triggering a fire accompanied by an explosion. Several other cars and motorcycles were also involved.

More than 20 people were injured, according to the Thai transport ministry, as rescuers rushed to the scene to put out the fire and carry out rescue operations.

Deputy Minister of Transport Siripong Angkasakulkiat said in an interview with Thai media that the bus had stopped at the railway crossing due to a red light, preventing the railway barrier from lowering. The freight train was too heavy to brake in time, leading to the collision.