Thai’s determination to combat drugs trafficking across the border

DVB (August 22,2003)

Thai government has sent a protest letter to the SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) expressing their concern on drug trafficking from Burma to Thailand.

The letter was sent after a clash happened between the Thai security forces and Wa armed group which was trying to smuggle amphetamine tablets into Thailand.

Although no details was revealed, the Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Surasuk, said the letter included their concerns on drug production in Burma and drug trafficking across the border.

The Thai government also wanted to seek increase cooperation from Burma to fight against drugs.

In addition, the Thai Prime Minister threatened to send troops into Burma to destroy drug factories if Rangoon did not deal with its drug problem.

The prime minister has also ordered the Thai security forces to kill the drug traffickers from Burma because that would be the only option.

Some suspect that such determination from Thailand was because the Thai prime minister is planning to mark 2 December as anti-narcotics day in Thailand in commemoration of the King's birthday on 5 December.

One of the Thai generals in the northern military region, Gen Manat Sarit, said that it’s possible the seized drugs – 500,000 methamphetamine pills - were hidden along the Burma-Thailand border.

The traffickers attempted to unearth the hidden drugs before they become spoilt and that was when they encountered the Thai security forces.