In 03, A Violent Government Anti-Drug Campaign Resulted In More Than 2,500 Deaths Reporter Simon Montlake Discusses Thailand's Past Efforts To Eradicate Methamphetamine Smuggling. Bangkok, Thailand - By Day, Bangkok's Largest Slum Broils Under A Scorching Sun. Schoolchildren In Crisp Uniforms Scuttle Past Sidewalk Food Vendors. But At Night, Say Local Activists, The Dockside Lanes Of Khlong Toey Belong To Peddlers Of Methamphetamine Pills, Known To Thais As Ya Ba, Or Crazy Medicine. Wanlop Hirikul, A Community Leader And Radio Broadcaster, Has Been Here Before. Until 03, His District Was Overrun With Dealers Hawking Meth Pills. Then Came A Violent But Popular Antidrug Campaign Led By Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra That Disrupted Trafficking Networks And Forced Tens Of Thousands Of Addicts Into Rehabilitation Camps. [continues 676 words]
THAILAND is to extend its controversial war against drugs despite international condemnation and claims of state-sponsored killings. More than 2,000 people have been shot dead since the three-month campaign was announced by the government in February. Prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who poured scorn on his many critics including the United Nations, said the crackdown on dealers would continue until he declares "victory" in the war on drugs on December 2. The wave of killings - suspected to be the handiwork of security forces trying to clean up their turf - has created a climate of fear in poor communities where small-time dealers have been gunned down, often in broad daylight. [continues 413 words]
Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand Thailand's new $10m opium museum is a brave attempt to uncover the mysteries of a poppy that has conquered the world. Located near Chiang Rai in the fabled Golden Triangle, a remote and lawless region of South-East Asia, the Hall of Opium will open to tourists later this year. Built by a royal foundation with Japanese assistance, the museum covers 6,000 square metres (60,000 square feet) on a grassy hillside overlooking the Mekong River. [continues 645 words]
Thais Sideline A US-Trained Commando Force In Their Bid To Boost Ties With Burma. PHITSANULOK, THAILAND - A special US-trained commando force created to block a flood of illegal drugs into Thailand has been sidelined by a delicate diplomatic two-step between Thailand and Burma (Myanmar), its neighbor and the source of the drugs. Known as Taskforce 399, the unit was set up last year and trained by US Special Forces troops. It is equipped with surveillance and combat equipment, including Black Hawk helicopters and night-vision goggles. [continues 863 words]
