Pubdate: Sun, 09 May 2004
Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand)
Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2004
Contact:  http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39
Author: Supradit Kanwanich

WAR'S NOT OVER YET

The government's successes in clamping down on drug trafficking have been 
considerable, but the pressure has to be kept up before a real victory can 
be declared

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra launched the War on Drugs on January 3, 
2003 in response to His Majesty the King's comments on December 4, 2002 
about the dangers to the nation's youth presented by drug use. It was 
estimated that over three million people in the country were addicted to 
drugs, mostly ya ba (amphetamines). A large number of those were said to be 
school-age children in cities and small villages across the nation.

Despite crticism from local and international human rights organisations on 
the high number of unexplained deaths associated with the drug war, most 
communities praised the government for its real and noticeable successes in 
curtailing the drug trade.

The prime minister declared victory on December 3 last year, but the 
government's recent actions show they are aware that a continued effort is 
needed to win over the drug problem decisively and definitely.

The PM presided over a Cabinet meeting on March 8 of this year to come up 
with a strategy and tactics for a new 90-day comprehensive campaign on 
drugs, which started in early March and lasts until June 5 as a part of the 
third phase of the War on Drugs. In the meeting it was clear that the 
government's assets seizures and forfeiture measures provided for in the 
Money Laundering Control Act of 1999 are the favoured weapons in the newest 
offensive, which will go after the big fish in the drug trade.

ALL AGENCIES INVOLVED

Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, also the Director of the 
National Command Centre for Combating Drugs (NCCD), said at the meeting in 
early March that because of the drug campaign the availability of drugs has 
been tremendously reduced _ especially methamphetamines, but also opium, 
heroin and marijuana.

''However, the drug interceptions by officials have made the ya ba and 
heroin trading groups divert their smuggling routes to the Northeast 
instead (of Bangkok),'' he told the PM. Moreover, some areas, especially 
along the borders, have reported a substantial anount of ongoing drug trade 
and distribution. A recent ABAC (Assumption University) poll revealed that 
96.3 percent of the public was still concerned that the drug problem would 
make a strong comeback despite the recent successes.

The general said to eradicate the drugs from communities and convince the 
public that the government has a very strong determination to tackle the 
drug problem, the NCCD would focus all of its resources on target areas in 
the nation's towns and cities and along the border.

The major task will be to crack down on the networks of the major drug 
traffickers and also to take criminal and disciplinary actions against 
state officials who reportedly have connections with the drug dealers.

''We will go after corrupted state officials and prominent drug dealers in 
schools, workplaces, dormitories, rented houses and congested areas within 
90 days,'' said the general.

The general said that pressure would be put on the drug pushers to turn 
themselves in to the authorities or they would face arrest and forfeiture 
of their assets. Drug abusers and addicts will be encouraged to go into the 
rehabilitation process.

He also said strict measures would be imposed to control the drug 
distributing areas _ schools, workplaces, service and entertainment spots _ 
which would be under the close watch of the police and also officials at 
relevant agencies. At the meeting it was made clear that all government 
agencies will be involved in this latest anti-drug push.

For example, schools and educational institutes will be supervised under 
the Education Ministry, while factories and other sorts of workplaces will 
be under the Labour Ministry.

Youth hangouts in Bangkok will be supervised by the Bangkok Metropolitan 
Administration (BMA) and those upcountry by provincial operation centres. 
Creative, alternative activities such as part-time jobs or camping trips 
will be promoted as well for students during vacations by the Education and 
Labour ministries.

The Thai Armed Forces and Internal Security Operation Command were assigned 
to intercept drug smugglers and to strenghthen their presence in the 
villages and communities along the border. Legal action against the major 
drug traffickers at the national and provincial levels would be taken care 
of by the Royal Thai Police Office, the Office of the Narcotics Control 
Board (ONCB), the Anti Money Laundering Office and the Revenue Department.

''Every ministry and all departments must take responsibility, especially 
for the actions of state officials involved with drugs or who overlook the 
(drug) problems,'' Gen Chavalit insisted.

He told the premier that the new 90-day campaign on drugs was aimed to 
create unity between civil, police and military officials and to show 
commitment and determination to solve the drug problem in the country.

GOING FOR THE MONEY

An ONCB official said that corrupt officials, drug traffickers and 
financiers would have charges brought against them for offences of the 
narcotics control acts of 1976 and 1991 and the Money Laundering Control 
Act of 1999, as well as on matters relating to tax evasion.

Asset forfeitures from drug dealing would be turned over to the Fund for 
the Protection and Suppression of Drugs. Those assets include cash, bank 
deposits, residences, land title deeds, vehicles, gold bars, ornaments and 
all sorts of other valuables.

''During the first and second phases of the War on Drugs (from 
February1-October 26, 2003), we confiscated assets worth over two billion 
baht The rest of the major traffickers will face the same fate soon,'' he said.

The official said that 1,946 corrupt state officials had been blacklisted 
by June of last year because of information gotten from complaints, 
investigations and previous information, and another 127 cases were being 
probed further, while accusations against 268 officials were found to be 
groundless.

According to an ONCB report, drug distribution has been rapidly decreased 
since the declaration of victory in the War on Drugs. Production of 
methamphetamines in the country has been way down. But the report warns 
that without further serious suppression and monitoring, the drug scourge 
might return to former levels. The heroin trade has been reported to be 
still alive, with financiers moving in to boost distribution for local 
trading and also to ship out of the country.

Marijuana is reportedly being smuggled in over the northeastern border. 
Ecstasy, a kind of drug favoured by well-off youngsters at night 
entertainment places, is being smuggled from the southern border and being 
bought up by small and medium-scale pushers.
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