Pubdate: Sun, 05 Dec 2004
Source: Nation, The (Thailand)
Copyright: 2004 Nation Multimedia Group
Contact:  http://www.nationmultimedia.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1963

WAR ON DRUGS - PHASE 2 MORE SUCCESSFUL - PM

Premier Cites Public Support As Key Factor;
Says Battle Must Continue

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday asserted that the
administration's second round of war on narcotics had made more
progress than the first round due to the people's increased support.

"We found more than 7,000 drug addicts, and 4,000 of them are already
receiving treatment. We also arrested more than 2,800 drug dealers and
seized assets from 22 of them worth nearly Bt 19 million, and we burnt
3,500 kilograms of drugs" Thaksin said in his weekly radio address.

The prime minister said the war on drugs needed to continue since the
country was at risk of being destroyed by narcotics.

Referring to a campaign by HRH Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya called
"To Be Number One", he said some 26.5 million people had joined,
demonstrating the commitment of Thais to get rid of narcotics.

"Apart from the project, 3.3 million volunteers are informing the
government about drug abuse around country," the prime minister said.

Meanwhile Mae Hong Son police said they had arrested 66 drug suspects
in the province between October 4 and Friday.

Police also arrested three fugitives from justice who were hiding out
in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son and seized assets worth
Bt11.5 million.

Officers from Narcotics Suppression Division 1 yesterday killed a
suspect who was transporting 100,000 methamphetamine pills from Chiang
Rai to Bangkok.

Police tailed the man's car to Chiang Mai, where he was killed trying
to resist arrest.

In a sting operation yesterday, Phya Thai police posing as drug-buyers
arrested dealer Arnont Chanrueng in front of the Siam City Hotel. The
man, who had attempted to sell drugs worth Bt2.6 million, later led
them to a wholesaler operating in front of a Tops supermarket in Bang
Kapi, who he said delivered packs of ecstasy pills to Arnont for sale
to night-club customers.
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MAP posted-by: Derek