Pubdate: Sat, 16 Oct 2004
Source: Chiangmai Mail (Thailand)
Copyright: 2004 Chiangmai Mail
Contact:  http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3105
Author: Nopniwat Krailerg

NEW ARMY ASSISTANT HEAD DRAWS THE LINE AGAINST DRUGS

The new assistant commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army has visited Pha 
Muang Task Force in Chiang Mai to stress that the suppression of drug 
smuggling is a hot issue.

Gen Lertrat Ratanawanitch, assistant to Commander-in-Chief Gen Pravit 
Wongsuwan, visited the task force on October 8 to familiarize himself with 
the drug situation in its area of responsibility.

He came to the North to attend the task force's briefing on drug prevention 
measures and drug suppression, including the Thai-Burma cooperation plan to 
help develop the villages along the Thai-Burmese border.

At the briefing, Lt Gen Picharnmeth Muangmanee, commander of the 3rd Army 
Region, Maj Gen Manus Paorik, the commander of Pha Muang Task Force, were 
on hand to welcome him.

Afterwards, Gen Lertrat said many drug suspects had been apprehended and 14 
million ya ba tablets had been seized, reducing the number of tablets 
distributed in Thailand. He also spoke of the rural development plan and 
looking after the work of the people, especially the 50 royally initiated 
projects, in cooperation with the Third Army Region's personnel.

Other issues raised were national security and peace along the borders with 
neighboring Myanmar and Laos.

Apart from the development projects along the Thai-Burmese border, joint 
military patrols and exercises between Thailand and Myanmar will be 
intensified next year. Next month, a meeting of the Thai-Burmese Border 
Committee, in which Burmese Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt has shown 
interest, will take place.
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