Pubdate: Sat, 01 Jan 2005
Source: Chiangmai Mail (Thailand)
Copyright: 2005 Chiangmai Mail
Contact:  http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3105

FRENCH GOVERNMENT SPONSOR ONCB IN ERADICATION OF NARCOTIC CROPS

Office of Narcotic Control Board (ONCB) called on all countries facing
illicit narcotic crop cultivation problems to join a workshop on
Utilization and Application of Satellite Imageries for Narcotic Crops
Survey held during December 21-22 at Duang Tawan Hotel, Chiang Mai.

Initially, the ONCB knew of around 2 million hectares of potential
opium poppy areas, covering 12 provinces of the Northern part of
Thailand. It is noted that most people involved with the illicit crops
are hill tribes in remote areas.

The ONCB has operated their Opium Eradication Campaign since 1984. Six
years later the United States government introduced ground and aerial
survey for opium poppy cultivation in remote areas. In 1987, the
French government assisted the ONCB by sponsoring the use of SPOT Data
to search for narcotic plantations.

The opium eradication campaign reduced narcotic crop areas from
8,776.64 hectares (54,854 rai) during 1984-1985 to 128.53 hectares
(803.31 rai) in 2003-2004 so far, said Pol Maj Somchart Sawangnetr,
deputy secretary-general of the Office of Narcotic Control Board.

The ONCB report shows that the most effective opium eradication during
2002-2004 was Loei, with 100 percent of opium crops eradicated,
followed by Phitsanulok with 99 percent eradicated, Mae Hong Son with
98 percent eradicated and Chiang Mai with 91 percent of crops eradicated.

Conversely, the worst area for narcotic crop cultivation is
Kampaengphet, as within the period of 4 years the area under
cultivation has increased 260 percent.

With the support of the French government, the Regional Training
Center for Narcotic Crops Survey has trained officials from both
Thailand and neighboring countries. Lao PRD has eliminated 45 percent
of its narcotic crops and Burma has reduced its cultivation by only 30
percent.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin