Pubdate: Sat, 11 Dec 2004
Source: Chiangmai Mail (Thailand)
Copyright: 2004 Chiangmai Mail
Contact:  http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3105
Author: Saksit Meesubkwang

MORE ON THE WAR ON DRUGS II

A press conference to announce progress in the 2nd War on Drugs was
held on December 2 at Duang Tawan Hotel, Chiang Mai.

Suwat Jan-ittipol, deputy secretary of ONCB (Office of Narcotics
Control Board) said that from now on the ONCB would concentrate on
people and places. All known traffickers and users would be targeted
while drug conduits along the border remain under scrutiny.

Arrest and property confiscation are main measures for traffickers
while rehabilitation will be provided for users. At present, there are
approximately 50,000 drug users.

More armed soldiers will be positioned at border areas and a close
relationship between Thai and Burmese border villages will be built,
said Suwat.

Youth is the group most at risk, so attitude change and alternative
activities are important to keep them away from drugs.

Col Pairat Thongjatu, deputy commander of Pha Muang Task Force said
that they are watching spots starting from Tak, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai
and Mae Hong Son borders. Mae Fa Luang district of Chiang Rai is the
most scrutinized border area.

Strong suppression by the 3rd Army Region reduced the amount of drugs
being stocked along the border, said Col Pairat.

Pol Maj Gen Wutti Wittitanon, deputy commissioner of the Provincial
Police Bureau Region 5 suggested that to eradicate the drug cycle,
attention needs to be paid to the very primary level; for instance,
limiting the number of roadside bars and selling liqueur and
cigarettes to youths.

The Provincial Police Bureau Region 5 has a list of 4,000 wanted drug
dealers, and they set a bounty of 5,000 baht for each arrest.

Pol Maj Gen Rachata Yensuang, deputy commissioner of the Provincial
Police Bureau Region 6 reported that his team has arrested 660 drug
dealers and confiscated a total of 50 million baht in property. Three
large networks have been broken up. The Provincial Police Bureau
Region 6 covers 9 lower North provinces: Kamphaengpetch, Tak,
Nakornsawan, Pichit, Phitsanulok, Petchaboon, Sukhothai, Uttradit and
Uthaithani.
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MAP posted-by: Derek