World

Fourth joint patrol of Mekong River to start

TIMELINE

Oct 5, 2011

A total of 13 Chinese sailors aboard two cargo ships, the Hua Ping and Yu Xing 8, are killed on the Mekong River.

Oct 13

Victims' families arrive in Thailand.

Oct 14

Chinese officials and families pay their last respects to victims at a farewell ceremony in Thailand.

Oct 23

A Chinese police delegation arrives in Thailand.

Oct 26

Chinese police inspect the crime scene to help with investigations.

Oct 28

Nine Thai soldiers reportedly turn themselves in for attacking the Chinese ships.

Oct 29

In a phone call with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Premier Wen Jiabao asks Thailand to arrest the suspects immediately.

Oct 31

China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand agree to jointly patrol along the river at a meeting in Beijing.

Dec 10

The first joint patrol starts.

Jan 14, 2012

The four countries conduct the second joint patrol.

March 25

The third joint patrol starts.

April 25

Naw Kham, the drug lord suspected of masterminding the murder of the 13 Chinese sailors, is arrested in Laos.

May 10

Laos transfers Naw Kham to Chinese police.

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