Pubdate: Wed, 23 May 2007
Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand)
Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2007
Contact:  http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DRUGS OFFICIAL GIVES WARNING

Unstable political situations in neighbouring countries have caused 
ethnic minorities to produce more methamphetamine tablets to be sold 
in Thailand, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) said 
yesterday. ONCB secretary-general Kitti Limchaikij said the 
methamphetamine problem has returned. Although the problem may not be 
as serious as in the past, it could get worse if officials turn a 
blind eye to it.

Faced with an uncertain future, ethnic minorities in neighbouring 
countries are producing more methamphetamines in order to make money 
to fund their own development schemes, and their main market is 
Thailand, he said.

Mr Kitti backed his claim with the ONCB's finding that more than five 
million methamphetamine tablets were waiting to be smuggled across 
the border. But he refused to give more details.

He also said more women, both Thai and foreign, were being employed 
as traffickers. From January to April, China arrested 33 Thais on 
drug trafficking charges, 31 of them women, according to the ONCB.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman