Commander of the 3rd Army Region Warns Three Northern Provinces Lt. Gen. Picharnmeth Muangmanee, commander of the 3rd Third Army believes that the incidence of drug running across the borders will increase for the next few months. He said the drug traders, who are more experienced with the routes and able to travel by foot along the hillsides to smuggle in the narcotics, are favoured by the seasonal weather. Commander Phicharnmeth said Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces must be closely watched, as they are the provinces which are connected to the neighboring countries that are making drug deliveries. These three provinces are mountainous and cannot be traversed with vehicular transport. Even using helicopters for surveillance is difficult with the thick undergrowth and they are forced to use foot patrols. Neighboring countries Burma, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and China also have concerns over drugs. However, the best way is if everyone in the nation alerts state officials when they have evidence of drug transactions taking place. [end]
Royal Thai Army Keeping A Close Watch On Thai-Burma Friendship Bridge The commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army expressed concern over the narcotics problem at Thai-Burma border, as drug networks shift their transportation routes northeast along the Lao border. Gen Chaiyasith Shinawatra was visiting the soldiers of the Pha Muang Task Force stationed on the Thai-Burmese border. He also checked progress on the construction of the Thai-Burma Friendship Bridge at Ban Wieng Hom in Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district. [continues 138 words]
10 Million Baht Sting Operation Also Nets 450,000 Ya Ba Tablets A gunfight between an undercover drug suppression police team and Chinese drug dealers that lasted for over 15 minutes ended with three of the dealers killed. Those killed were Amnuay Saeyang, and Jintai Saeseu, both 22, and another unidentified man. All three were reported to be Yunnanese (southern China) and lived in Pai district, Mae Hong Son. The drug exchange was arranged on the Chiang Mai-Pai Road in Ban Pang San, Tambon Pah Pae in Chiang Mai's Mae Taeng district. While handing over the amphetamines to undercover police, in exchange for 10 million baht, the drug dealers suddenly realized this was a sting operation and drew their firearms. During the gun battle, two attempted to run away, but were shot while fleeing, said the police. [continues 59 words]
The 'Snooze And Sniffer Snoops' Are Watching Owners and supervisors of student dormitories have been asked to keep a closer eye on the students in a new offensive in the War on Drugs. Following the central government's lead, Chiang Mai province has declared the second War on Drugs which started on March 8 and will end on June 5. The call was made at a seminar organised for the Chiang Mai Private Dormitories Entrepreneurs Network at Srithana Commercial and Technological College on May 12. Several experts from the northern Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), Chiang Mai Provincial Social Development and Welfare Office, Chiang Mai Municipality, Phuping police station and Tambon Suthep Administration Organization were present. [continues 547 words]
Successes In War Noted The amount of heroin seized in the north has more than doubled as a result of the government's war on drugs, while the number of arrests for amphetamines has dropped. Pittaya Jinawat, director of the northern Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), has disclosed that 40 kg of heroin a month are seized, compared with a previous monthly average of 19 kg. The number of amphetamines intercepted has dropped from 26 million tablets to 70,000 tablets a month. [continues 433 words]
but Manufacturers Changing Presentation and Formulation Pittaya Jinawat, Narcotics Control Board northern office director, said that after the government ordered strict suppression of drug trafficking, everyone, including soldiers, police and narcotics suppression officers, had been pursuing the manufacturers and dealers so that traffickers in the North did not risk continuing. They believed the officials' actions also caused drugs to gradually fade away from the kingdom, especially trafficking in ya ba. They did acknowledge that there were still many large amounts of drugs outside Thailand's borders, waiting for the right time to be shipped in. [continues 69 words]
This Does Require The Drug Suspects To Remain Alive According to the video conference conducted between officials working with drug suppression and solutions in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Hawaii and San Diego, the most interesting issue was that of negotiation with the drug suspects. The conference discussed that if the arrested drug dealers and traffickers could link or trace the top ringleaders or the mastermind of the whole networks, the traffickers' penalties will be reduced. Another issue that was addressed was the close collaboration necessary between drug suppression officials and public prosecutors to allow effective sentencing of those found guilty. [continues 65 words]
Narcotics suppression officials based in Chiang Mai warned that despite the government's strict law enforcement policies, drugs producers are stockpiling huge quantities of drugs at the border and are changing their transportation routes into the kingdom. Phitaya Jinawat, director of the northern office of the Narcotics Control Board, said that Rangoon's conciliatory policies towards minority groups across the border from Thailand are sending drugs producers in a panicked rush to get their products over into Thai territory. At the same time, drugs producers are shifting their transportation routes towards Tak and Uttradit Provinces. [continues 67 words]
Police Still on Lookout Over Songkran Officials are concerned that drug traffickers will take advantage of the Songkran festival to smuggle drugs into Thailand from across its northern borders. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra also noted that drug trafficking was now taking place through Laos, rather than Burma. Thai citizens had reported that drug smuggling had changed from Burma to the Laos border areas because of the government's War on Drugs campaign. "Experienced officers have therefore to be recruited to pursue the drug trade and trafficking in the Laos border areas," said Thaksin. The PM also responded to reputed public concerns that during the Songkran festival police would concentrate on traffic problems and disregard drug suppression. He responded by asserting that officers would be assigned during Songkran to continue their drug suppression duties. [end]
And Score A 20,000 Baht Bonus! Udom Maneekhat, Chiang Mai Provincial Development Office head, said that the Chiang Mai Provincial Authorities appointed his office to work with former drug addicts who had been rehabilitated during the war on drugs. Part of the rehabilitation was training in useful occupational skills and investment management methods. In addition, the office has arranged training courses in March on the Poverty Eradication Scheme in seven districts, including Samoeng, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, Chiang Dao, Phrao, Fang and Mae Ai districts. [continues 69 words]
The second wave of skewed statistics underway The Northern Narcotics Control Office (NNCO) reports that it is ready to launch the second War on Drug campaign, and has more than 4,600 suspects on the blacklists. This time, the NNCO officers would seek more cooperation from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local residents as sources of information rather than just the official government sources. The director of NNCO, Pithaya Jinawat, said that following the first War on Drugs campaign last year, held in compliance with the government's policy, more than 23,000 drug dealers were stopped, of which 7,000 dealers were killed and the other 16,000 dealers surrendered to the authorities. These dealers came from the names of 101,000 drug traffickers on the blacklists. [continues 287 words]
3rd Army chief blames foreign countries and Hi-So users The Third Army Region is worried about a new wave of drugs being introduced to teenagers, according to Lieutenant General Phicharnmek Muangmanee, the commander in chief of the Third Army Region. Lieutenant General Phicharnmek Muangmanee, commander in chief of the Third Army Region. He stated that following the last War on Drugs, amphetamines have become less available, but new drugs are taking their place. "There are new kinds of drugs which are replacing the old, such as ice, cocaine, ecstasy and love drug, and the drug dealers are targeting high society customers who enjoy the entertainment places at night. These drugs cost much more than other drugs," he said. [continues 196 words]
Lampang judges, Oran Tambamrung and Phayon Chuichai, announced the death sentence for three drug offenders guilty of possessing 4,000 amphetamine pills, and life imprisonment for the fourth member of the group. The four accused were Prayad Saengwang, Muan Kahehaloon, Mrs. Lon Jaisanklang and Mrs. Supawinee Pratan, charged with possessing the drugs for sale. Prayad confessed to the crime both at the time of capture and during police interrogation so his sentence was reduced to life imprisonment. The four were caught on January 25 after police found Muan and Mrs. Lon waiting for a transfer of Ya Ba pills from Chiang Rai province to Lampang province. After stopping the pick up truck being driven by Prayad, police found 4,000 Ya Ba pills hidden in the front tire. Prayad confessed to the crime and indicated his accomplices who were then captured by the police. [end]
Methamphetamines, Opium And Weapons Seized The Pha Muang task force has seized more than 14,000 methamphetamine pills, along with raw opium and weapons in Wiang Haeng district, Chiang Mai. Maj. Gen. Manas Paorik, the commander of Pha Muang task force, assigned cavalry forces to keep watch on the drug situation and in response, they set up a checkpoint at Ban Chong, in Wiang Haeng district. They then apprehended two suspects who were searched, revealing a haul of 14,000 methamphetamine tablets, half a kilogram of raw opium, 7 rounds of ammunition and one knife. [continues 51 words]
Sniffers, snorters and shooters a worry Pittaya Jinawat, Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) northern director, has announced a warning to the public to be aware of new drugs being brought into the local area. He said the drugs, like cocaine and crack cocaine, are likely to be used by youth groups and visitors to Thailand. He said that drug use in the 17 northern provinces has been drastically decreased, but it's not the end of the drug suppression yet. Drugs like ya ba, opium and heroin are still being smuggled from border areas of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, and Tak provinces. ONCB and the Provincial Police Bureaus 5 and 6, together with police forces from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son, are continuing with close supervision and sting operations covering 100 targeted areas. [end]
The Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) northern office raised nearly 4.5 million baht during the recently held 27th auction of seized assets from drug cases. These auctions are in line with government policy as promulgated during the war against drugs. Pittaya Jinawat, ONCB northern office director said that the past 26 auctions realized a total of 55,216,200 baht, but this time there were only 22 assets up for grabs, which returned bids totaling 4,552,000 baht. Assets seized from drug suspects included cars, pickup trucks, trucks, a bus, and motorcycles. Director Pittaya said the money from this auction would go to raise funds for the ONCB, for use in its activities and as rewards to be offered to the police for their part in helping destroy the drug networks. [end]
Japan And Third Army Think So The Third Army's operation center, with Japanese specialists, is promoting bamboo planting as a viably economic means to earn an honest living. People can turn bamboo into value-added products, which the army hopes could help solve the drug problem along the Thai- Burmese border areas. Major General Veerawat Tansuhut, Chiang Rai provincial army commander, explained the project during his keynote address to the Thai- Burma cooperation training course to develop border villages under the supervision of the Third Army Region. [continues 160 words]
Those noodles could land you in oodles of trouble Pittaya Jinawat, director of the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), Northern Region, has strongly suggested people carefully check their personal belongings before departures to prevent them becoming innocently involved in drug trafficking. During the New Year's long holidays, many tourists and travelers were flowing into the North, especially around the dangerous border areas, so tightening security and issuing an alert to related departments and agencies was in order to prevent illicit drug smuggling. [continues 56 words]
Royal Thai Army Organizes The Carabao Band The Royal Thai Army, together with the Carabao Band, will organize musical treatment and entertainment for drug addicts confined in Wiwat Pollamuang School, to encourage the prisoners to stay away from drugs, and then hopefully return them to society to become good citizens. The famous Carabao band will give a mini-concert at Wiwat Pollamuang Center, Pack Squadron, in Mae Rim district, as part of this radical drug rehabilitation plan. Yuenyong O-pakul (aka Add Carabao) said that musical treatment activity would be held for the first time in Chiang Mai, after which the band would perform at concerts in every Wiwat Pollamuang School throughout the country. Wiwat Pollamuang School, Pack Squadron, Chiang Mai province, began to treat drug addicts almost two years ago. There were approximately 250 drug addicts there, with 80 of them under treatment and more than 100 drug addicts were already back in society. [end]
US Ambassador lauds Thailand's efforts The Chiang Mai-based 7th Artillery Battalion, with cooperation from the US government, has shown a positive will to eradicate drugs from Thailand. Thai and US governments have worked together for 30 years to get rid of drugs from the country and make hill tribe people change from planting and using it. Lieutenant General Picharnmeth Muangmanee, Commander of the 3rd Army Region, said that opium destruction was successful because of good support from the Thai government and financial support from the US government. "The number of opium fields along the northern border has decreased from 5,000 rai last year to 500 rai this year," he added. [continues 109 words]
Crime, Drugs and Deforestation Claimed Mae Moh district people are against relocation of Hmong addicts to the area. 700 villagers from eight villages in Tambon Ban Dong, Mae Moh district protested when they heard about the proposed relocation of Hmong addicts from Wat Tham Krabok in Saraburi province saying it would destroy the environment and cause troubles into the area. Mongkol Meepien, Chief of Tambon Ban Tong Administration Organization together with village headmen congregated at Regional Office of Hill tribes Development, Ban Huay Tard which has 45,000 rai constructed as a Hmong Hill tribes Holding Center for Hmong addicts. [continues 76 words]
More Extra-Judicial Killings? Both on Police Blacklist Hang Dong police report the extra-judicial killing of two major drugs suspects, while seizing 800,000 amphetamine tablets in Chiang Mai's Hang Dong district. Sombat Puang-ngern, 40 years old, together with Tee, his Chinese aide, were killed in the early hours of December 16 by the drug suppression police, during a drug bust about kilometer 32 on the Chiang Mai-Samoeng Road, in Tambon Ban Pong, Hang Dong district Chiang Mai province. Sombat and Tee were on the police blacklist of major drug dealers, and had been followed by undercover police. [continues 192 words]
Do We Hear Chickens Being Counted? On December 3, Chiang Mai governor, Suwat Tantipat, presided over the ceremony to declare "victory over drugs", at Chiang Mai University's (CMU) convention hall. A number of associated organizations received certificates, and also took an oath in the front of His Majesty the King's portrait, to not become involved with drugs. Many took part in the ceremony to announce the victory over the drugs at CMU's Convention Hall. Governor Suwat said that according to the government's policy to fight drugs, declared in February 1 2003, the result had been very satisfying and successful. The drug combat operation center in Chiang Mai successfully destroyed a number of drug networks. Over 400 people who were involved with drugs were arrested and in addition, over 26,000 drug addicts had been sent for rehabilitation. [continues 123 words]
Elimination Of Major Drug Dealers Within 60 Days Claimed Police Lt. Gen Chalor Choowong, commissioner of the Provincial Police Bureau, Region 5 said that his bureau would continue to suppress drug trafficking and try to arrest the main drug dealers in the northern region in the sixty days countdown for drug eradication. A press conference was given to report on the arrest of Ajian, a Burmese national and a member of the Wa minority group. He was arrested smuggling 390,000 methamphetamine pills from the border area into Thailand through Tambon Wiengpangkam in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province on October 30. [continues 90 words]
60-Day Countdown Produces Wallet-Jerk Response Phrae province has launched its strategic operation on drug suppression by providing cash rewards of 2,000 baht to anyone who gives information leading to the arrest of drug pushers or addicts during the drug elimination 60-day countdown for drug elimination. The assistant district chief officer, Samart Loypah presided over a meeting of the drug suppression unit of Phrae province, and said that during the 60-day countdown for drug elimination to celebrate His Majesty the King's birthday anniversary on December 5, the province is taking the elimination very seriously. They are keeping a lookout for drug dealers as well as addicts who they want to join the 'Return good citizens to a society' project. [continues 77 words]
Soldiers instructed to intercept the routes The heavy crackdown on cross-border drug trafficking along the Burmese border has had an unwanted side-effect for other areas in the north, as the Thai-Laos border, especially in the areas of Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phayao, has become a primary target for drug syndicates. Army Lt. Gen. Pathompong Kesornsook has been following the situation and monitoring progress in the suppression of drugs, influential people, and alien labor in the Nan area, and said that the spread of drugs in Nan has been reduced, but drug syndicates are now trying to smuggle drugs through the Thai-Laos border. [continues 92 words]
Police raid makeshift entertainment places, recommend they be shut down On the night of August 22, over 100 Chiang Mai policemen patrolled a new hangout for youngsters in Tambon Chang Puek, nearby Wat Pa Paeng temple, and Im-boon Housing Estate, Muang District, Chiang Mai. Over 30 entertainment places, pubs, bars, food and drink shops, and karaoke bars have opened in the area, and over a hundred youngsters gather there nightly to drink and allegedly buy drugs. While the police were searching the shops, Preechapong Yawichai, a 21-year-old DJ at Jiamjiam Pub, tried to flee the scene on his motorcycle, but doughty police managed to catch him, and found 10 ya ba pills and a bottle of K drug inside his motorcycle seat. [continues 91 words]
