Pubdate: Sat, 30 Aug 2003 Source: Chiangmai Mail (Thailand) Pubdate: August 30, 2003 Contact: http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/ Author: Nuttanee Thaveephol DRUG SYNDICATES CHANGE SMUGGLING ROUTE TO THAI-LAO BORDERS 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. Lt. Gen. Pathompong went to border at Huay Kroan checkpoint, Chalermprakiat district on August 15-16. He reported that there are millions methamphetamine pills waiting to be delivered to Thailand, and therefore the Lt. Gen. commanded soldiers in the area to coordinate with other involved units to follow drug dealers' movements and intercept the routes. The drug syndicates are also expected to be concerned with the influential groups, hired gunmen, and other dishonest government officers. Also, most alien laborers coming from Laos try to use Nan to pass into other regions of Thailand.