Pubdate: Sat, 23 Apr 2005
Source: Chiangmai Mail (Thailand)
Copyright: 2005 Chiangmai Mail
Contact:  http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3105

GOVERNMENT PROCLAIMS RENEWED WAR ON DRUGS

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra renewed his commitment to the war on 
drugs on April 11 at a meeting attended by Deputy Prime Minister Pol. Gen. 
Chitchai Wannasathit and the Minister of Interior, Suwat Liptapanlop and 
other dignitaries.

Officials are instructed to cooperate to control and eradicate drugs in 
every region of Thailand.

"Today is an important day when we join together to warm Thais hearts by 
saving our children from drugs. Even though we have already done this twice 
before, the government will continue to pursue results ... and eliminate 
the drugs that destroy our country's future," the PM said.

He added that the first drug eradication activity showed successful 
results, and the second was done to prevent a reoccurrence, but he accepted 
that drugs had spread again as government officials had many duties and 
responsibilities, and had neglected the drug problem. However, the 
government had cooperated with national authorities to get rid of drugs 
within three months, to block drug transfer routes that had been moved from 
Burma's border to that of Laos and Cambodia. Most, but not all, of the drug 
dealers were influential gangs living in neighboring countries.

"I tell all of you not to be afraid of drug dealers, even if they are in 
Thailand or in neighboring countries, because nobody is greater than the 
law, and I ask you to do your own duty with an all out effort. The 
government promises to protect you and repay you for your efforts--but if 
there is any section ignoring drug dealings, officials concerned will be 
seriously prosecuted," Thaksin affirmed.

He said that governors should take his lead to suppress drugs, including 
cooperation with neighboring narcotics suppression divisions to request 
reports about drug transfers, because the number of wholesale drug dealers 
has decreased but retail drug traffickers remained. Finally, he gave a 
modern technology drug checker to Chiang Mai Provincial Bureau Region 5 
office responsible for Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Nan, 
Phayao and Lamphun.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom