Pubdate: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 Source: Far Eastern Economic Review (Hong Kong) Copyright: 2000 Review Publishing Company Limited Contact: Review Publishing Company Limited, GPO Box 160, Hong Kong Fax: +852-2503 1530 Website: http://www.feer.com/ Intelligence GOLDEN TRIANGLE ROLE FOR U.S. ARMY The Thai and U.S. armies are joining hands for the first time to combat drug trafficking in the Golden Triangle. The Thai military will form a special task force to counter the increased flow of methamphetamines and heroin into the country from Burma. The U.S. army is offering training and equipment and the new outfit is expected to be operational in August. It will bring together elements from the military, the border police, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and the government. It will be equipped with modern detection devices and helicopters and, with training from U.S. instructors, will be able to operate at night. The small town of Pai near northern Thailand's border with Burma has been proposed as the force's main base. The area is rife with cross-border drug trafficking. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has been active in Thailand for years, but its mandate allows it only to cooperate with local police forces. - --- MAP posted-by: Eric Ernst