Pubdate: Sat, 07 Oct 2000
Source: Straits Times (Singapore)
Copyright: 2000 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd.
Contact:  Forum Editor, 390 Kim Seng Road Singapore 239495
Fax: 733-2690
Website: http://straitstimes.asia1.com/
Author: Edward Tang, Thailand Correspondent

THAILAND GETS US, CHINA SUPPORT IN ANTI-DRUGS WAR

Officials from three countries will work together on a wide range of 
strategies to wipe out the menace, seen as the "greatest security threat'

BANGKOK -- Thailand has obtained important support from the United States 
and China to tackle its worsening drug problem, described by officials here 
as the country's ""greatest security threat''.

Its officials are currently drafting separate cooperation agreements on 
drug suppression with their counterparts in Beijing and Washington ahead of 
an international narcotics conference to be held in Bangkok next week.

The bilateral tie-ups with the two superpowers are significant.

The agreement with the US is the first time that the Thai army will work 
together with its American counterpart to combat the drug problem.

Previous cooperation have been confined to civilian officials of the US 
Drug Enforcement Agency and the Thai narcotics bureau.

According to Admiral Dennis Blair, head of the US Pacific Command who 
visited Bangkok last week, the US army will provide training on drug 
suppression to Thai soldiers and supply equipment such as night vision 
devices and other military gear.

Additionally, the US has pledged US$6 million (S$10.2 million) to fund 
anti-drug activities such as crop control, law enforcement, and cooperation 
with third countries over the next year.

The agreement with China is equally significant because of the high-level 
interest reflected in the recent exchange of letters between Prime Minister 
Chuan Leekpai and his Chinese counterpart Zhu Rongji.

In his reply to Mr Chuan who sought China's cooperation, Mr Zhu said 
emphatically: ""Our conviction is: never stop fighting until the total 
eradication of drugs is achieved.''

The agreement with China is expected to include sharing of intelligence, 
suppressing movement of drugs and precursor chemicals, and setting up 
rehabilitation facilities.

Thailand and China share long borders with Myanmar, the source of millions 
of amphetamine pills which flood Asia, including Singapore.

The United Wa State Army, an ethnic group based near the Thai-Myanmar 
border, is allegedly responsible for producing the stimulants made from 
precursor chemicals that are said to originate from Thailand and Yunnan, 
China's south-western province.

The 20,000-strong group is also accused of processing much of the heroin 
and opium that are smuggled into the US and Europe.

Thailand has accused Myanmar of turning a blind eye to the activities on 
its border.

Despite joint patrols by their officials to prevent cross-border 
trafficking, there has been no significant improvement.

Thailand also has porous borders with Laos and Cambodia where illicit drug 
trafficking takes place largely undetected.

Thai officials said over 600 million amphetamine tablets were smuggled into 
Thailand last year and more than 600,000 students here were hooked on the 
""speed'' pills, which are sold at 100 baht (S$4) each.

Enlisting the help of the US and China is seen as a desperate move by 
Bangkok to keep pace with regional efforts to create a drug-free Asean by 
2015, a deadline set by Foreign Ministers of the 10-member grouping in July.

Thailand and the United Nations Drug Control Programme will co-host a 
three-day international meeting in Bangkok next week to promote regional 
cooperation in the fight against drugs.

Sources said the US and European countries, which are among the 34 
participating nations, are expected to pressure Myanmar to step up efforts 
against drug production.

Ms Tanitha Nakin, a senior Thai narcotics official, said: ""The drug 
problem does not only affect Thailand but also other countries in the region.''

THE FIGURES: GRIM STORY

About 600 million amphetamine tablets with a market value of 60 billion 
baht (S$2.4 billion) were smuggled into Thailand from Myanmar last year.

About 1,700 tonnes of opium are grown each year in the Golden Triangle, 
where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet.

Over 60 amphetamine factories are believed to be operating near the 
Thai-Myanmar border.

Amphetamine is the most abused drug, followed by marijuana, heroin, Ecstasy 
pills and cocaine. About 700,000 students are addicted to amphetamines.

Thirty-four drug traffickers were given death sentences this year, double 
the number for murder.
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