More Than Just The Thai and Burmese Armies On Patrol Several problems exist at the northern border, including minority groups, illegal entry of aliens and human trafficking as well as illicit drugs. Despite the much publicized War on Drugs (that has brought Thailand to the adverse notice of human rights groups around the world), problems continue to exist because there are several narcotic stockpiles in areas inside neighboring countries, especially Myanmar, where there are Wa group soldiers located at the border to protect the benefits for their government. And there are still orders from drug dealers on the Thai side so there is movement from other countries. [continues 726 words]
Suppression Has Produced More Inventive Ways of Transporting On August 4, Pittaya Jitranawat, the director of Narcotics Control Board, Northern region, was the keynote speaker at a workshop on 'Case Studies on Drug Suppression and Solutions; and Geographic Study', hosted by the Commander of 3rd Region Army at Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel. Pittaya said that 20 drug traffickers on the black list were aware of being traced by the authorities and had fled to live in neighboring countries. Another 40 traffickers who were not included on the black list also escaped to neighboring countries. The fact that they possess identification cards issued by two countries as having both Thai and Burmese nationalities has become a major obstacle in searching for them. [continues 429 words]
Editor; In response to: "Americans train Thai troops to combat drug trade" by Autsadaporn Kamthai (31 Jul 2004) - This is a marvelous letter/article giving insight to those who aren't sure whether America is a promoter of death and violence. I'm an American, perhaps I can help. If drugs were legal and regulated the black market and police would not be killing people over drugs. "Why" you ask? Well, because if drugs were legal they wouldn't be worth a fraction of their current value. Therefore you can thank the US government for promoting senseless violence throughout the world in their over-zealous war on drugs. The drug war is nothing other than a growing excuse to imprison and mistreat people. Eric Knudsen, USA [end]
Thai anti-narcotic officials have warned that the country may be facing a flood of drugs in the near future. There are millions of methamphetamine pills, or 'ya ba' currently stored in many secret spots along Thailand's northern border, which are waiting to be smuggled into Thailand later, according to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). Thailand's war against drugs last year forced many drug lords to flee into neighboring countries. These drug barons may try to take advantage of any relaxation by the Thai authorities along the border to try to get back into business, according to senior ONCB official, Pittaya Jitranawat. [continues 224 words]
Award Winning Rehabilitation Nan province's Kwan Nan Drug Rehabilitation Center claims it has been successful in drug rehabilitation, with Nan Governor Dr Suwat Chokesuwattanasakul proudly stating that they had established the Center on October 4, 2002. Vocational training is offered to those who have already undergone drug treatment and rehabilitation to enable drug victims to help themselves reintegrate into their communities. "The project is also meant to achieve community empowerment, and one of the achievements of the Center is the information sources that have been created in all villages to provide useful information on drugs. Through its successful operations, this center has received several awards in recognition of its anti-drug operations," he said. [continues 281 words]
A Canadian human rights organization has awarded a network of Thai drug users for its work in combating the spread of HIV. Handing the prize to the Thai Drug Users Network, the director of Human Rights Watch Canada praised the network for its efforts and use of peaceful means in alerting the public to the 'heavy-handed tactics' employed by the Thai government in addressing the Thai narcotics trade. While noting that Thailand had won worldwide acclaim for its success in combating AIDS, he warned that the problem of HIV infection among drug users had been largely ignored, leading to a 40 percent growth in the rate of HIV infection among intravenous addicts. The Thai Drug Users Network was formed two years ago to help educate drug users nationwide on the importance of protecting themselves against HIV. [end]
The Mekong River is becoming increasingly used as a transit route for drug smuggling and a rendezvous point for drug dealers. This was claimed at a workshop on international cooperation in drug suppression, especially along the river, that took place from July 20-22 at the Wiang Inn Hotel in Chiang Rai and was organized by the Border Drug Suppression Center, Office of Narcotics Control Board, and the United Nations. Representatives from the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries - China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand - and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime as well as observers from the Japanese consulate and about 60 other participants. [continues 57 words]
A Thai-American joint military exercise codenamed 'Baker Torch 04-3 B' kicked off on July 26 at 3rd Development Battalion to improve the ability of Thai troops in drug suppression. Lt. Gen Phicharnmeth Muangmanee, commander of the 3rd Army Region and the US Consul Henry Jardine in Chiang Mai presided over the launch of the exercise. The Royal Thai Army assigned the 3rd Army Region to the joint military exercise. It is taking place in the grounds of 3rd Development Battalion, 5th Special Force Regiment, and some areas in Chiang Mai's Mae Rim and Mae Taeng districts. It will end on August 27. [continues 85 words]
A poll released on July 26 suggests that the rate of young Thai people becoming involved in the sex trade and drug abuse is accelerating despite the government's attempts to crack down on vice. The comprehensive ABAC poll, conducted by Assumption University from June 1 to July 24, surveyed over 14,000 young people aged 11-26 years in 29 provinces across the country. The poll showed a sharp drop in the number of young people living at home with their parents, from 76.2 percent last year to only 69.3 percent this year. And while the survey showed a good deal of interest in 'creative' activities ranging from sports to religious worship among young people, it also showed that only 84.7 percent of those surveyed spend much time with family and relations, down from 96.2 percent in 2003. [continues 315 words]
Local software house CyberPlanet Interactive and Microsoft (Thailand) have launched Moontra Kid, an anti-drug edutainment game. Moontra Kid provides players information regarding drugs and health and targets those aged between four and 15 years old. The game comes in a series of four _ Quiz Fighting, Magic Pair, Drug War and Buggy. Microsoft Thailand managing director Andrew McBean said technology could play a vital role in education and entertainment in Thailand. Microsoft plans to give 100,000 of the CD games to schools through its Partners in Learning project . [continues 51 words]
BANGKOK - A recent survey suggested not only that the government's controversial war on drugs last year was a hollow victory, but also painted a picture of Thai youth increasingly adrift from traditional values and family ties. Data extrapolated from the survey by Assumption University, which covered more than 14,000 youngsters aged 11 to 26 years in 29 provinces, found the number of drug abusers more than doubled from 444,307 in February last year to 955,764 this February.Advertisement [continues 326 words]
The public has little confidence the government can tackle corruption in the next six months, but is more than happy with its war on drugs, according to a recent poll. Assumption University surveyed 4,817 people in 25 provinces between July 2-27. The survey found 60% of respondents did not believe the government could end the corruption plaguing the country before its term ends officially in mid-February. Asked which government initiatives they were most satisfied with, 94% said the war on illicit drugs. Second came the One Tambon One Product scheme, favoured by 90%. [continues 94 words]
Drug Abuse, Drinking, Gambling, Brawling Increase among Youths Alcohol, truancy, pornography, gambling and brawling are becoming more prevelant among the country's youth, according to results yesterday from a large-scale survey by Assumption University. The survey questioned 14,783 young people in 29 provinces between June 1 and Saturday. Respondents were between 11 and 26 years old and 42.7 per cent were students. The survey found that 42.2 per cent of youths drank alcohol, up from 37.1 per cent last year. Student truancy had also risen, from 26.7 per cent last year to 28.4 per cent. [continues 209 words]
Participants Sick Of Broken Promises Thai community leaders have demanded the government adopt more humane policies to help intravenous drug users suffering from HIV/Aids infections. In his final words to the 15th International Aids Conference, Paisan Suwannawong, a key member of the Thai Drug Users Network, said it was time the government introduced comprehensive programmes and brought changes to its "repressive" policies against Aids sufferers."We only offer them the choice of prison or military-run rehabilitation centres. Is this harm reduction or harm production?" he asked. [continues 269 words]
Get-Tough Policy Has Kept HIV Infection Rates High, Pushed Addicts Underground, Far From Help, BANGKOK -- Bored and despairing in a Bangkok slum, Paisan Suwannawong made a slow but steady transition from smoking marijuana to smoking heroin 20 years ago. He was soon addicted, and one day when he was in withdrawal and could not afford to buy more to smoke, a friend offered to share a needle. Through the next few years of addiction, he started to hear talk that there was some risk of contracting HIV from a shared needle. But Mr. Paisan, now 38, was in and out of police custody. [continues 760 words]
The Thai Drug Users' Network (TDN) yesterday received the Award for Action on Aids and Human Rights for its efforts to expose human rights abuses, especially during the government's antidrug campaign. The award was conferred by Human Rights Watch and the Canadian HIV/Aids Legal Network. The conferral was based on the decision of a panel of international human rights experts from every continent who met last week. Founded in 2002, the TDN helps drug users protect themselves from HIV and other bloodborne diseases. [continues 147 words]
Thailand's successful fight against HIV/Aids in the early 1990s, which has often earned the Kingdom international praise, has been undermined by a climate of fear in the wake of the government's war on drugs that has driven injecting drug users underground, Human Right Watch said on Monday. The war, launched in February of last year, has caused the deaths of more than 2,000 people and drove countless drug users into hiding and away from what few services exist to protect them from HIV, said Joanne Csete, director of HIV/Aids programmes. [continues 248 words]
Thailand's leadership in the fight against Aids and its reputation as one of Asia's leading rights-respecting democracies have been tarnished by its approach to drugs and injecting-drug use ["PM heckled at opening", News, July 12]. The government's "war on drugs" has cost thousands of lives -- Human Rights Watch has estimated that in the last year over 2,000 people have died in state-sponsored extrajudicial killings. Thousands more have been subjected to violence, arbitrary arrest and other breaches of due process by Thai police. This approach is driving drug users underground, making it more difficult for them to access the services and support they need in order to minimise the risk of contracting HIV from injecting. [continues 156 words]
Ayutthaya House Hit With 200 Bullets; Yongyuth Denies He Acted On Complaint The PM's Secretary-General Yongyuth Tiyapairat led 50 commandos on a raid yesterday on the home of a suspected illegal-drug producer in Ayutthaya's Bang Sai district that saw authorities fire some 200 rounds into the house. A 70-year-old man was shot in the controversial early morning raid, which yielded no evidence of drug production - and has been labelled a human rights violation. A source said the raid stemmed from information obtained from the Prime Minister's complaints box, which was forwarded to Yongyuth. The complaint alleged that five people in the house were producing amphetamine tablets, using four machines each with a production capacity of 1,500 tablets a day. [continues 895 words]
Inside Thailand
