Burma/Drugs/Thai

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Drugs threat to Thais

THE Thai government has concluded another drug agreement with Myanmar. 

Officials from both countries deserve some respect for the agreement, but
also for the manner in which they reached it. Thai officials stressed the
dangers to Thailand and security from Myanmar amphetamine traffickers.
Myanmar officials insisted they understand our concern. For now, Yangon has
promised to step up suppression activities against drug peddlers in Myanmar.
Just before the two-day conference, Myanmar authorities seized 400,000
amphetamine tablets and arrested a Taiwanese woman. 

This rather minor achievement with Myanmar is the only good news in recent
days. Thai anti-drug agents have discovered that heroin traffickers have
reactivated smuggling routes through Thailand. This means China and Vietnam
are closing down trafficking roads. But it also opens Thailand to more drug
sellers. There will soon be more heroin available on the illicit markets. 

The dangers to Thailand from amphetamine trading is obvious, and it is
growing. More young people -- and, lamentably, some of their role models in
the entertainment business -- are abusing this drug. 

Traffickers have friends in very high places and threaten to corrupt our
entire political and cultural systems. 

Bangkok Post, Jan 18