Pubdate: Sun, 22 Oct 2000
Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand)
Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2000
Contact:  http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/
Author: Anucha Charoenpo

BUREAU PREPARES FOR ANNUAL DRUGS SWOOP

Northern anti-narcotics agencies will next month begin their annual attempt 
to reduce opium cultivation in the mountainous regions, the head of the 
Office of the Narcotics Control Board's northern bureau said.

Thamnu Sirisingh said the eradication campaign would mainly cover two areas 
in Mae Cham and Om Koi districts of Chiang Mai.

The opium crop in those areas were thought to be expanding at a quicker 
rate than in other areas like Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai.

Military and border police have for the last two months been patrolling the 
two districts at pinpoint target areas.

The campaign would be launched when the ONCB knows the exact location of 
the opium cultivation areas, Mr Thamnu said.

The northern office conducted an opium cultivation survey between August 
last year and May this year and found opium crops in the two districts, he 
said. Anti-narcotics agencies have already eradicated 42,475 rai of opium 
fields in 17 northern provinces and one northeastern province near the 
junctions of Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son.

Opium fields are usually located on isolated steep mountainous areas away 
from villages and roads and out of the reach of the police. Mr Thamnu said 
hilltribe villagers used sprinklers and fertiliser to improve their yield 
and allow for cultivation outside of the traditional season.

Most hilltribes preferred consuming an opium mixture called "yapu" to 
increase quantity and improve flammability of the raw gum when smoked. This 
method was much cheaper than smoking raw opium gum.

Mr Thamnu said the seeds of dried opium bulbs were collected after harvest 
and sold for 500-800 baht per litre. He said the authorities had difficulty 
identifying the owner of the opium fields, making it difficult to arrest 
his employees.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager