BKK POST: Drug traded for stole

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

April 16, 1998


                                     


              Drug traded for
              stolen cars

              Cheewin Sattha
              Mae Hong Son

              Amphetamines are being traded for stolen vehicles instead of
              cash along the border with Burma.

              Pick-up trucks and four-wheel drive cars are among the
              favourites worth between 600,000-800,000 baht apiece,
              according to officials.

              Topping the order lists are Toyota four-wheel drive cars known
              in Burma as 'Toyota Four Wheel'.

              Such vehicles are in high demand because they work well on
              poor roads in Burma and spare parts can be easily found in
              Thailand.

              Some car thieves also accept speed pills instead of cash and sell
              the drugs in the local market, officials said.

              According to officials, car smuggling has increased ahead of a
              regulation to come into force this year requiring that all vehicles
              to be registered must be imported from China.

              Most stolen cars are smuggled via several passes including Ban
              Sao Hin in Mae Sariang, the officials added.




                                     




© The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 1998
Contact the Bangkok Post
Web Comments: Webmaster 

Last Modified: Thu, Apr 16, 1998