Reuters-FEATURE-Gloves off for Thai

[tinkyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Reuters-FEATURE-Gloves off for Thai army in drugs war 

FEATURE-Gloves off for Thai army in drugs war
09:31 p.m Jul 24, 1999 Eastern
By Sutin Wannabovorn

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Thailand, July 25 (Reuters) - In the jungles of the
Thai-Myanmar border, a small stretch of no-man's-land is all that separates
heavily armed Thai army units from the ethnic fighters of Myanmar-based drug
rings they have vowed to destroy.

In a recent visit to the highland frontier, Thai army chief General Surayudh
Julanond told his men no holds were barred in the war against what he calls
Thailand's biggest security threat.

``We cannot tolerate gangsters using this area as a haven for drugs
trafficking any more,'' he said. ``If the traffickers use arms, you can
strike back with arms.''

The general spoke at a mountaintop base in northern Thailand just metres
(yards) away from units of United Wa State Army (UWSA), an ethnic guerrilla
army considered by most independent analysts to be Myanmar's most notorious
drug-trafficking force.

Narcotics experts say the Wa now control most of the production of illicit
drugs in the so-called Golden Triangle opium-growing region, the world's
number one source of heroin.

Known primarily for production of opium, from which heroin is derived, Wa
areas now also make huge quantities of amphetamines which have become a
major scourge in Thailand, putting pressure on national leaders to act.

In recent weeks, Thailand has deployed more than 800 troops in areas
opposite UWSA positions, and has also established mortar and artillery
bases, an army source said.

``The purpose of these fresh deployments is to re-establish stability in
these areas,'' Surayudh said.

Sources in the narcotics suppression drive told Reuters at least 29 members
of Wa drug gangs had been killed on the border in the past year.

Colonel Suthas Jarumanee, commander of a taskforce assigned to conduct
search-and-destroy missions against Wa units said his men killed seven
members of a UWSA drug gang in a firefight last month.

``The drugs war is declared and the search-and-destroy missions will
continue,'' he told reporters.

Last week, National Security Council chief Kachadpai Burusapatana urged a
shoot-on-sight policy against drug gangs.


``Alien drugs traffickers from a neighbouring country are becoming
increasingly rampant,'' he told a seminar.

``The only way to deal with these people is to execute them on the spot,''
said Kachadpai, whose name in Thai means ``get rid of danger.''


  The UWSA has become increasingly influential since it reached a ceasefire
agreement with the military government in Yangon 10 years ago. It controls
areas of eastern Shan State near the Chinese border as well as borderlands
opposite Thailand.

Suthas said the UWSA had mobilised more than 5,000 guerrilla fighters to
protect its drugs business near the Thai border.

What had really alarmed Thailand though was a recent linkup between the
northern Wa army based at Pangsan near the Chinese border under Pau Yuqiang
and the southern group under Wei Hsue Kang near Thai border. Suthas said
this prompted a full alert among Thai forces on the border.

The United States has offered a $2 million reward for Wei's capture, and
named Pau, who denies involvement in the drug trade, in its list of Golden
Triangle drug traffickers.

Wei is apparently unperturbed -- according to a Thai army source he has
consolidated his position in the border district of Mong Yon and is actively
expanding his influence in the Triangle.

``The U.S. government is offering $2 million for his head but crossing the
border to get him is not an easy task,'' said army Major Prathompong
Kasetsuk.

Mong Yon was a former stronghold of Khun Sa, a notorious veteran drug lord
also wanted by the United States and who now resides in Yangon.

Myanmar insists Khun Sa has retired from the business after surrendering to
the government in 1995, but Thai narcotics officials believe he is still
closely linked to the business.

Pinyo Chaithong, chief of the Office of Narcotics Control Board in the
northern Thai town of Chiang Mai said Khun Sa's son and guerrilla fighters
were increasing their narcotics output.

``His son is actively in drugs business and there are signs that Khun Sa is
also involved in the drug again,'' Pinyo said.

The ONCB estimates there are at least 57 heroin and amphetamine factories in
the Golden Triangle under the control of the UWSA and guerrillas of the Mong
Tai Army Khun Sa created.

It estimates UWSA areas now produce 300 million amphetamine tablets a year,
mainly for the Thai market.

``Apart from producing drugs in Mong Yon, the Wa have also created satellite
villages for their drugs rings on Thai soil, so we have to establish order
in the suspect villages,'' Suthas said.

He said the army was concentrating its domestic crackdown on traffickers on
26 hilltribe villages in the Mae Ai, Mae Chan and Mae Fah Luang districts of
Chiang Mai province.