Drug Problem
Thailand Based Submit to
Assoc. Prof. Dr.Prapat Thepchatree
…
Drug problem research team (Group 10)
Tanakom Muangsakul 5122790124
Chayut Bhamornsuwan 5122790645
Thesis Denchartphan 5122790306
Ariyachai Chaimanat 5122790389
Harich Nuntachote 5122770084
Sittan Sathianphattanakool 5122779092
Nunchanok Daolomchan 5122790132
Thammachart Tula 5122800568
Vorapong Supaksirichot 5122790751
Nirach Wasusopon 5022800148
Jinnawat Pinchai 5422800433
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 2
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 4
Historical Drug Background .............................................................................................. 4
In Thailand ................................................................................................................... 5
In International ............................................................................................................ 6
Common types of drug in this moment and their effect ................................................... 9
Drug and Society ........................................................................................................... 11
The cause of drug problems ................................................................................................................ 12
From Seller ..................................................................................................................... 12
Why sell drug in Thailand ........................................................................................... 12
Drugs trafficking ....................................................................................................... 15
Modus operation/Routes ............................................................................................ 18
Criminal operation/Syndicate ..................................................................................... 19
From Buyer .................................................................................................................... 21
Cause of Thai people’s drug addict ............................................................................. 21
Thai people addict case ............................................................................................. 22
Illegal drug analysis ....................................................................................................... 23
Attempt to solve the problem ............................................................................................................... 24
Royal Duties ................................................................................................................... 24
Government, Official and Agencies ................................................................................. 27
National drug control strategy .................................................................................... 27
Government policies ................................................................................................... 27
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ................................................................... 27
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva ......................................................................... 28
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra .................................................................... 29
International/Regional Cooperation ............................................................................. 30
Information sharing and resource ............................................................................... 35
Legal Framework to combat Drugs (Laws) ................................................................... 35
Law enforcement Agencies .......................................................................................... 37
Arrest/Seizure/Raids/Operations (Statistic in Thailand) .............................................. 41
Statistic of arrest in ASEAN .......................................................................................... 44
Arrest forfeiture .......................................................................................................... 45
Solution ........................................................................................................................................................... 46
Treatment and Rehabilitation ........................................................................................ 46
Drug addict’s treatment and rehabilitation of Yingluck Government Policy ..................... 49
Drug rehabilitation of WAT THAM KRABOK .................................................................... 49
Relapse Prevention ......................................................................................................... 50
Why relapse prevention is necessary ........................................................................... 50
To solve social surrounding ........................................................................................ 50
Our Conclusion, recommendation and analysis .......................................................................... 51
Reference ....................................................................................................................................................... 52
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 3
Executive summary Impression to research Based on the seriousness of drug situation since Thailand has long been facing
the problem of illicit drug production, illicit drug trafficking and illicit drug consumption,
the Nation has placed drug control as the national agenda. The drug control policy has
been placed as the top priority of every Government.
But the problem the nation still face to seriousness of drug problem. So we need
to analyze the drug problem from drug seller and drug addict views.
Objective • Studying the background of drug problem and the effect to society. • To know common drug in this moment for create avoiding plan. • To know the origin of cause of problem from realistic seller and buyer. • Analyze the attempt to solve the problem from different way such as Royal
duties and Government. • Then improve the solution to solve problem.
Method and Methodology First of all, we study and find information to know the origin or background of
drug problem. Then collect the information of the cause of problem from Seller and buyer
view and make an analysis. After that we collect the attempt to solve the problem from
different source and organization.
Finally, We analyze all of the knowledge and improve the solution and finalize the
report and presentation.
Result of the research After we done all of the process, this report is benefit to study the background of
drug and deeply in drug situation of Thailand in this moment and to illustrate that why
drug problem is the most seriousness problem all of the time. In this report, Drug
abusers and addicts are regarded as "patients" who should receive appropriate treatment
and rehabilitation but the drug seller must be punished.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 4
Introduction DRUG TRAFFICKING SITUATION IN THAILAND IN 2010 WAS MUCH DIFFERENT FROM 2009. HOWEVER, NUMBERS OF DRUG OFFENDERS AND DRUG CASES IN THIS YEAR WERE LOWER THAN LAST
YEAR’S BUT QUANTITIES OF SOME KINDS OF SEIZED DRUGS WERE IN HIGH VOLUME SUCH AS
KETAMINE, COCAINE, CRYSTALLIZED METHAMPHETAMINE OR ICE, AND METHAMPHETAMINE (YABA
PILL). METHAMPHETAMINE WAS STILL THE MAJOR DRUG IN THE COUNTRY WHILE ICE WAS
CONTINUALLY RISING. IRANIAN ICE TRAFFICKERS WERE CAUGHT FREQUENTLY AT THE AIRPORT IN
THIS PERIOD. MOREOVER, THE EMERGING OF COLD MEDICINE TABLETS CONTAINING PSEUDO-EPHEDRINE WAS NOTICED. IT HAD BEEN SEIZED IN LARGE QUANTITIES (SEVERAL MILLION TABLETS) SINCE LAST YEAR. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT THESE PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS WERE BEING
HIPPED TO THE DRUG PRODUCING SITES TO PRODUCE METHAMPHETAMINE. ACCORDING TO THE
CONCERNED DRUG TRAFFICKERS, THE WEST AFRICAN DRUG NETWORKS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN
SHIFTING HEROINE FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA TO OTHER REGIONS.
Historical Drug Background
In Thailand Human related to drugs for a long time ago. The first type that occurs in Thailand
is opium.
From the evident the Opium occur in Thailand in Pra jao U-thong the king of Ayudhya around 1903 or 600 years ago. That appeared in law. From this law said person who consume, sale, eat have to be punish for forfeit wife child assets to state property. Although the punishment is so high penalty but it have Unauthorized trading occur for the time. So some head of state is addicted to opium or vendor of opium. The result is Ayudhya cannot quit from the opium. In the period of Rattanakosin, Rama1 Legislate to stop vendor or consume but it is ineffective. In Rama2 He determine higher penalty. In Rama3 is the period, England get opium from India and sale to Chinese so more consumer in china and this period
corresponding to many Chinese vendors go to Thailand So it cause of many drug addict in Thailand. So he tries to determine higher penalty. In Rama4 he see the penalty is not effective so he change the policy that is allow Chinese consume and sale in legal but they have to pay the tax so it become many revenue for Thailand around 400000 baht. And then in Rama5 the situation seem like rama4 and have many people consumed opium. Therefore Rama5 try to fix the tax policy cause to reduce drug addict but it is not effective In 2502 revolutionary group led by Sarit Thanarat. They consider about taking drug is scorn of society and it is dangerous for health any country try to stop taking strictly prohibited. So they try to prohibit opium addict in Thailand. Later they destroyed many opium that taken from people. Moreover they determine higher penalty. So in this period drug addict is illegal. In addition to that the government making drugs treatment for drugs addict. And repression is very strictly.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 5
Executed is occur but drugs problem is not decrease and In addition, the drug has been transformed into Heroin. Which is produced by a change in the opium call “morphine” by chemical it more affects than opium, and Epidemic in Thailand. Found in September 2502. Heroin spread in old opium addict. Because they can easily to pump by burn in the paper lead and they do not need the pipe for pump. And does not have smell when they pump. And To escape the law, it is easier than smoke opium.
Historical drug background in Thailand in brief
Sukhothai Ayudhya Rattanakosin Rattanakosin 2498-present
• Product
from China
• No laws
• Product
from China.
• Begin widely
used
• Become
illegal
In Rama2
• Higher penalty
In Rama3
• Product from
China, more
trading and
trafficking by
“Aung Yi”
• The migration of
Chinese into
Thailand brings
many smokers.
Illegal.
• Suppression and
arrest so strictly.
In Rama4
• They are widely
popular. Legal for
Chinese people.
Apply tax system.
• Thai people
strictly
prohibited.
In Rama5
• : More illegal
trading. Set up
the Department
of opium.
In Rama6
• Opium is still
controlled by
the
government.
In Rama7
• Opium is still
widely popular.
• Government
provides a
store of opium
in some city.
In Sarit period
• Source of product
is Myanmar border.
• Termination of
government opium
stores.
• Become illegal.
• Switching from
opium to heroin
product.
• Amphetamine has a
serious epidemic
among the
workers.
Nowadays Drugs problem is appear in Thai people in many different styles.
In Hill tribes Northern of Thailand, Part of a career is opium cultivation. And most of these
people smoke the opium. Among people in rural areas has been smoking opium,
marijuana, amphetamine in widespread. The following problem is the spread of drug
addiction are now in country and Bangkok especially amphetamine which widely in most
community It is a big problem that everyone must work together to fix this problem.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 6
In International
The British East India Company was instrumental in expanding the opium trade
towards the end of the 18th century. Founded in 1600, the British East India Company
was given monopoly on trade with the East Indies by the British Crown. Critical to the
opium trade was the British East India Company’s trade monopoly in Bengal and Bihar.
Bengal and Bihar were already important producers of opium. The monopoly aimed at
maximizing profits from opium. Therefore use policy Colonialism and Brought opium
from India to China does eventually come to the Opium War between China and England.
Opium exports from India to China rose from just 75 metric tons in 1775 to more than
2,500 tons in 1839.
The opium business turned out to be highly lucrative and not exclusively for
the British East India Company. From close to negligible amounts, the proportion of
opium in total Chinese imports rose to around 50% in the first decade of the 19th century
and remained at that level or higher for most of the rest of the 19th century. All of this
changed with the intensified trade in opium. The opium sold illegally in China
China attempted to prevent these opium imports by decisively going after the opium
smugglers, resulting in two so called ‘opium wars’, 1839-42 and 1856-60, in which China
was defeated.
China is surrender and the amount of compensation to the English Up to 21
million US dollars. Then Chinese were weaker. Until Chiang Kai-Shek. The executions of
people addicted to opium a lot.
The Chinese trade account eroded quickly under the pressure of the
legalization of opium imports and rising demand for opium in China. This impact was not
reversed until Chinese authorities gradually allowed domestic farmers to grow opium
poppy (after 1880). This policy was successful in reducing China’s trade deficit. After
1880, rising levels of domestic production helped to curb opium imports and thus
reduced the outflow of silver.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 7
Production became pervasive and was reported from 20 Chinese provinces.
More than 40% of the total production (238,000 piculs or 14,400 tons, i.e. almost twice
the current opium production in Afghanistan) took place in the province of Szechwan,
followed by Yunnan (78,000 piculs or 4,700 tons). Yunnan province is located in southern
China, bordering Myanmar and Szechwan province is located north of Yunnan. In other
words, more than half of China’s opium production took place slightly to the North of the
geo- graphical area, which would become known as Golden Triangle (Myanmar, Laos and
Thailand).
Opium use also affected Chinese populations outside China. In the USA, for
instance, estimates suggested that 30% of adult males of Chinese origin were addicted to
opium smoking. Even higher proportions were reported for adult males of Chinese origin
living in Southeast Asian countries.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 8
After 1933, Japan invaded China by using drug as a tool. So it makes China
more difficult drugs problem. Because more types of drug problems. In addition, opium
has spread everywhere. China was suppressing drug problem with Strong and decisive
way.
Then we will mention a history of drug abuse in Hong Kong and Japan. When
The Opium War between China and England and Hong Kong is the British colonized. It
makes lack of freedom in China because Hong Kong is like a face of China in term of
contact with the free world. In fact, the drug does not produce in Hong Kong. It was
smuggled from China Burma, Laos and Thailand. Formerly, it was smuggled into Hong
Kong.
Then produced into heroin in Hong Kong. But today most of heroin smuggled
into Hong Kong. Hong Kong is free port no tax for incoming and outgoing. Therefore the
inspection of product is not strictly omitting the illegal product. Hong Kong is like the
gateway to the east so it is a great source of the smuggled drugs exports. And if compare
amount if drug product with population considered that Hong Kong have many drugs
user too.
Although Hong Kong try to suppress strictly by establish Narcotics Bureau in
police department. And set up special unit to suppress the drugs (Special narcotics
section) in the department of trade and industry for suppresses the smuggling of drugs
into Hong Kong by stay at the airport to check passenger in and out. These two agencies
are coordinate and cooperate closely with agencies of various countries. According to
statistic the person who suspect in criminal case generally has 60percent is associated
with drugs just like in Thailand 58 percent associated with drugs. So Hong Kong
government has established a special prison on Kowloon side (TAI LAM PRISON) for
treatment of drug addict.
In Japan said they not have drugs problem before. Opium and morphine was
spread in japan when the war between China and Japan. Since that time the drugs has
spread rapidly and widely throughout in Japan. Until 2490 drugs problem in Japan more
serious drugs enforcement commission was announce that now Japan have to buy drugs
from aboard. By illegally import from Hong Kong and Taiwan. The number of drugs addict
in Japan is more than 200,000 people and increasing rapidly.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 9
Common types drugs in this moment and their effects
1. Marijuana Cannabis
Marijuana cannabis is also known as Marry Jane. It is illegal drug that most consumed
in the world. After the cannabis saliva’s leaves and flowers are dried, they can be used to
smoke, added to foods and used to make tea. It is commonly added to a cigarette, and
informally called as a “spiff” or a “joint”. In the Western countries, they often bake
cannabis with brownies.
Sometimes marijuana is legally used in medication. Cancer, AIDS and glaucoma
patients claim that cannabis helps to relieve their symptoms.
Short-term effects: Cannabis gives feeling of relaxation, euphoria or drowsiness. It
can also make the consumer nervous or even paranoid. It may cause people to feel very
hungry after the consumption. Using cannabis affects the consumer short-term memory
and coordination.
Long-term effects: If cannabis is used for a long time, it irritates the respiratory
system and can lead to bronchitis and lung cancer. The other long-term effects can be
lack of motivation and difficulty of concentration.
2. Cocaine
Cocaine is taken from the leaves of coca often found in Andes of Bolivia, Peru and
Columbia. It became very popular recreational drug and known as snow, blow and flake. It
can be smoked, snorted and injected.
Short-term effects: Cocaine produces the feeling of euphoria in the consumer. It
increases the blood pressure and heart rate, causing the user to feel energetic and alert.
Long-Term effects: Cocaine-addicts often have chronic runny nose. Cocaine impairs
the ability of smelling and decreases the tasting ability. Users are at risk of heart attack
and paralysis. Difficulty sleeping, fatigue, headaches and nausea are the symptoms of
consumption of cocaine over a long period of time.
3. Heroin
Heroin is made from morphine and also informally known as H, smack, junk or horse.
This illegal drug can be injected, smoked and snorted but injection seems to be the most
common way of consumption.
Short-term effects: Heroin gives the feeling of euphoria followed by alternate feelings
of alertness, relaxation and drowsiness. The consumers experience dry mouth, a heavy
feeling in extremities and a warm skin flush. It also decreases the respiration rate of the
users.
Long-term effects: Since heroin decreases the respiration rate, there is also a
possibility of respiratory arrest, which may cause death. Consumers who share the same
needle in heroin injection are at risk of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. It can also cause
miscarriage, pneumonia and live & kidney diseases.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 10
4. Amphetamines (YABA)
Amphetamines are those illegal drugs that chemically act similar to adrenaline (they
mimic the effects of adrenaline). There are many different forms of amphetamines but
most of them appear in the forms of capsule and tablet. This drug can be ingested orally,
injected, sniffed and smoked.
Short-term effects: Amphetamine gives the feelings of energetic and confident.
These effects can last up to 12 hours and some people continue consuming to remain the
effects of the drugs.
Long-term effects: The consumers will need more and more amount of
amphetamines as they continue over a long period of time because the users’ bodies will
resist the drug actions which mean they will have to consume more to make the effects of
amphetamines work. They increase the strain on the heart and blood pressure. They also
increase the risks of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
5. Ecstasy (MDMA - methylene-dioxymethyl amphetamine)
Ecstasy often comes in the forms of white, yellow or brown tablet, capsule and
powder. It can be crunched and snorted. Some ecstasy tablets are stamped with images,
making them look like candies. It is also known as love drug, X and XTC.
Short-term effects: Ecstasy gives the feeling of happiness. It lets the consumer feel
more comfortable in social situations. These feelings will continue for 1-6 hours. After the
effects are gone, user may feel resentful, unhappy, and anxious.
Long-term effects: Since ecstasy increases heart rate and blood pressure, it may
cause heart attack or stroke. Because of it is often used in nightclubs when users may be
partying for long period, dehydration can be another great danger. It may also lead to
loss of memory.
6. LSD - lysergic acid diethylamide
LSD is a hallucinogenic drug, which comes in liquid, or tablet forms. It can be taken
orally and has a soft bitter taste. It is also known as acid, boomer and “Lucy in the sky
with diamonds”.
Short-term effects: LSD creates hallucinations and user will be in absent-mindedly
state. There is no way to predict that the hallucinations will be good or bad and they will
last for some hours. It makes the pupils dilate, increases heart rate and blood pressure.
Insomnia and tremor are common effect after consumption. Some consumers may feel
paranoid or anxious while under its influence.
Long-term effects: LSD consumers will experience hallucinations even though they
are not under the influence, and this may continue up to 12 months after use. LSD may
also cause depression and schizophrenia.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 11
Drugs and society
While many people are focusing on political problems, the one problem that is
overlooked is drug problem. Drug problem is one of the biggest problems in Thailand.
Every society and every community are affected by this problem since drugs were
introduced in Thailand. Although we tried really hard to get rid of illegal drugs but we
never were successful. As days go by, drug problem is becoming more and more serious
and needed to be solved as soon as possible.
Drugs give effects many things in society. For examples:
1. Effects on individual:
Every kind of illegal drugs directly affects health and mind of the
consumers. They also bring death and loss of properties to the consumers.
2. Effects on families:
Any society or community, which has addicted consumers, is in trouble
because of them. The people are suffering from conflicts, difficulties and loss of
time to solve the problem. Addicted consumers often commit crimes such as
theft, harming other people and gambling. For the head of the family, if they get
caught because of involvement in drugs, their family members surely have to face
difficulties in surviving on society. Sometimes students are suspended from
schools because of their addicted parents.
3. Effects on nation management
The increment of drug cases gives burden to the whole system of
Ministry of Justice, increases the expenses of government and also slows down
other cases. Besides, drugs can bring corruption, bribe and extortion.
4. Effects on economic
Although producing and selling drugs are businesses but they are illegal
businesses, which wickedly take advantages of the innocents and government.
The government needs to spend a lot of expenses on drug prevention, drug
elimination and also curing and giving therapy to addicted people. They have to
waste a lot of money, which could be used in many projects, which could bring
benefits to the country.
5. Effects on stability and reputation of the country
The dispersion of drugs spoils reputation and dignity of Thailand. The
foreigners are afraid to come to Thailand because they are concerned about their
safety and properties.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 12
The causes of drug problems.
From Seller
Why selling drug in Thailand?
Figure 1 Criminals are packing drug for transporting
According to the US Department of State, Thailand is home to the worst abuse
of methamphetamine in the world. The Thai word for meth is “YA BA” or crazy
drug. Little tablets of the substance retail for about 50 baht ($1.20) each making them
easily accessible to all Thai people, with the poor and disadvantaged in slum communities
especially vulnerable.
In Thailand, the government estimates that an astounding 800 million yaa baa
tablets were imported and consumed last year, enough for every man, woman and
child in the country to smoke a dozen each! A recent statistic states that at least 1 in 60
people in Thailand are meth users.
Yaa Baa is said to flood the brain with dopamine, the body’s natural pleasure
chemical. When people are trying to get off the drug, it is said to have caused permanent
mental damage and made people “go crazy.” There is no type of methadone cure to help
users get free of it. Its use is on the rise globally, but especially in Asia because of its
ease of production and cost.
Myanmar or Burma, particularly Wastage, is the main producer for the
region. The drug sales are used to fuel to Wa state army, a pro-Yangon ethnic group said
to operate around 50 laboratories close to the border, as well as mobile production units.
“Alleged links between Myanmar’s military rulers and the UWSA — and the
resulting lack of law enforcement — as well as the remote jungle canopy under which the
UWSA operate, conspire to make Myanmar an unrivalled regional producer.”
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 13
Eighty per cent of illegal drugs enter in from three provinces–Chiang Mai,
Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son– located near the drug production bases. Some of this
area being known as the infamous “Golden Triangle” which was and still is in many ways a
major center for opium production. It is under the regular surveillance of the Thai
military and undercover Thai DEA agents though corruption is said to still be rampant.
A Thai general was quoted recently saying that if they caught 10% of the drugs
coming through Bangkok that it would be a good number! You can easily do the math,
but that means over 90% is getting through yet in 2009 over 135,000 people were
arrested in drug related offenses in Thailand. On the street, even urine tests that come
up positive can land a person in jail.
It has been noted that unless something is done to counter this trend, “More
likely, these countries and societies will have to write off vast swaths of their populations
as drug casualties, like the American victims of the ’80s crack epidemic.”
“Counseling facilities are scarce and recovery from drug addiction is still viewed as a
matter of willpower and discipline rather than a tenuous and slow spiritual and
psychological rebuilding process.”
“In Thailand the few recovery centers suffer from a chronic shortage of staff
and beds. While the most powerful tools for fighting addiction in the West 12-step
programs derived from Alcoholics Anonymous are available in Asia, their dissemination
and implementation do not reach much of the region.”
In one now infamous Aljazeera interview with a Thai military Colonel who runs
one of Thailand’s drug treatments camps for young offenders, tells the addicts they
should “eat plenty of fish sauce” if they want to get over the addiction. He went on to
say, “It replaces calcium and makes you sweat. The drugs come out with your
sweat.” This is an example of the lack of understanding and ability to handle the real
issues involved.
Use of yaa baa is said to be widespread now in Thailand. Owners of boats in
the southern coastal province of Ranong and construction foremen in Bangkok are known
to force their workers to take the drug at the beginning of the workday. Occasionally in
rural areas, “the farmers dissolve the drug in a bottle which they drink while working. But
it is Thailand’s youth who are most at risk. Consumers are as young as seven and
“school has become one of the main hubs for trafficking of methamphetamine.
In 2003 then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra instigated a now infamous war
on drugs. Thaksin claimed to be doing this in response to a speech from His Majesty The
King who called for a solution to the methamphetimine problem that had been plaguing
Thailand. Over the next three months over 2,500 people died in what many have
called a vigilante style justice handed down by the Thai government.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 14
Now the Shinawatra government led by Thaksin’s younger sister Yingluck is
declaring a new way on drugs, but stops short of going back to those dark days of
2003. The Thai laws on drug use, sales, and trafficking are still some of the harshest in
the world.
Note to foreigners reading:
If you are coming to Thailand to “party” and use drugs, I have one piece of advice:
DON’T! You are taking your life into your own hands. These issues are not as “easy
going” in Thailand as you may be presuming. Things are tightening up immensely. You
may very well end up in Bangkok’s notorious KlongPrem prison like the American man I
mentioned. The Thai authorities would like to make an example of you and I
wouldn’t blame them. The drug problem here is bad. It needs to be dealt with strongly
and I believe we will see many more arrests in the near future, especially foreigners.
For the Thai suffering under the effects of this “crazy” drug there seems to be
little real hope; no good outlook for the future. Taught all of their lives to depend only on
themselves, addicts are considered weak and mainly written off for not overcoming the
addiction on their own.
It is each man for him. In the mind some of the religious, it has to do with their
own ignorance and karma. They are merely suffering their own predestined fate. No one
can really help them.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 15
ILLICIT DRUGS TRAFFICKING
Figure 2 Drug trafficking route from neighbor
Heroin trafficking
Thailand is still one of the transit countries for heroin trafficking from the Golden Triangle to international markets. In 2010, 114,359.8 grams of heroin were 'seized nationwide, involving 410 offenders in 379 drug cases. Most of the heroin was smuggled into the Kingdom from the Golden Triangle area with onward deliveries to the third countries, namely Malaysia, China and Taiwan. Of the said quantities seized, approximately 10 kilograms of heroin were interdicted and seized from Pakistani nationals at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Those Pakistani couriers 'were reportedly hired by African drug trafficking groups to smuggle the Golden Crescent-sourced ‘heroin into Thailand. Heroin is also smuggled in and out of the Kingdom by ways of air and sea. The price of heroin per kilogram at Thai-Burmese border stands at 750,000 Thai Baht (approximately 25,000 US Dollars) and the price in Bangkok is at 5 million Thai Baht (approximately 166,000 US Dollars).
Heroin trafficking routes: Golden Crescent area - India - Thailand - China Golden Crescent area - Pakistan - Thailand Golden Triangle area - Thailand - Malaysia -China Thailand - Malaysia - Australia Thailand – Taiwan
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 16
Cocaine trafficking African drug trafficking groups are engaged in smuggling cocaine from South America through international airports in ASEAN countries for deliveries to the third countries, e.g. Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong SAR and Thailand. In 2010, 48J38.5 grams of cocaine were seized nationwide, involving 74 offenders and 70 drug cases. With regard to drug interdiction at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in 2010, 6 Filipino female couriers and one Nigerian courier were apprehended and nearly 17 kilograms of cocaine were seized from them. Cocaine trafficking routes: Peru - UAE - Bangkok Peru - Brazil- UAE - Thailand Brazil- UAE – Thailand Methamphetamine (Yaba) Yaba remains the most abused synthetic drug in Thailand. It comes in round-shaped tablet in orange or green color imprinted with WY logo. One tablet contains 10-25% of methamphetamine and 60-70% of caffeine. Yaba has been smuggled from neighboring countries into Thailand. In 2010, 51,156,246 tablets of Yaba were seized nationwide, involving 215,506 offenders with 207,054 drug cases. The price of Yaba from Myanmar is at 75 Thai Baht (approximately 2.5 US Dollars) per tablet and the street value is at 250-300 Thai Baht (approximately 8-10 US Dollars) per tablet.
Myanmar-Thailand Myanmar- Lao PDR-Thailand Myanmar-Lao PDR- Cambodia- Thailand Marihuana Marihuana growing in Thailand is very minimal due to continued eradication and suppression by law enforcement agencies. Dried marihuana seized in Thailand has been smuggled into the Kingdom from neighboring countries on the northeastern borderlines for domestic consumption, mostly on Samui Island, and for international markets, such as Malaysia. Marihuana trafficking routes: Laos, crossing the Mekong River - Thailand Thailand – Malaysia Crystal Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (ICE) Presently, ICE has been emerging as another threat to national security due to its influx into the Kingdom from neighboring countries. Most of the drug refineries that produce Yaba have turned to produce ICE also. ICE is smuggled into Thailand by Asian couriers through Thailand-Myanmar border and Thailand-Cambodia border for domestic consumption and onward deliveries to Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong SAR and Japan. In recent years, ICE smuggled into Thailand' is sourced to Iran and some African countries like Ghana and Mali. ICE from Iran and airplane passengers of Iranian and African or Asian origin transport African countries into the Kingdom respectively. In 2010, 2,005,111.7 grams of Ice were seized nationwide, involving 10,033 offenders and 9,101 drug cases. In relation to drug interdiction at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in 2010, a total of nearly 165 kilograms of ICE were seized from the offenders. (75 Iranians were
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 17
arrested with approximately 117 kilograms, 17 Africans were arrested with approximately 26 kilograms, and couriers of other nationalities were arrested with approximately 20 kilograms.) The price of Ice per kilogram at Thai-Burmese border stands at 1 - 1.2 million Thai Baht (approximately 33,000 - 40,000 US Dollars) and the retail price is about 3,000 Thai Baht (approximately 100 US Dollars) per gram. So far, ICE production labs have not been identified in Thailand yet. ICE trafficking routes: Thailand-Myanmar border - Central Thailand- Southern Thailand - Malaysia Iran- a Middle East country - an Asian country Africa - a Middle East country - Thailand - Cambodia or Malaysia
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 18
Modus Operation/Routes
ANDAMAN SEA
GULF OF THAILAND
MYANMAR LAOS
CAMBODIA
Figure 3 Blue: Meth, Red : Heroin, Green : Marijuana
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 19
1 Heroin trafficking routes: Golden Crescent area -India - Thailand - China Golden Crescent area - Pakistan – Thailand
Golden Triangle area - Thailand - Malaysia -China Thailand - Malaysia - Australia Thailand - Taiwan India – Nepal - China India - UAE – Thailand - China
Pakistan - Malaysia - Thailand – China
2 Cocaine trafficking routes: Peru - UAE - Bangkok Peru - Brazil- UAE - Thailand Brazil- UAE - Thailand India - Peru - Bangkok Philippines - Bangkok Brazil-UAE - Bangkok Benin - Bangkok
India – Bangkok
3 Methamphetamine (Yaba) routes: Myanmar-Thailand Myanmar- Lao PDR-Thailand Myanmar-Lao PDR- Cambodia- Thailand 4 Marihuana trafficking routes: Laos, crossing the Mekong River - Thailand Thailand – Malaysia 5 ICE trafficking routes: Thailand - Myanmar border - Central Thailand - Southern Thailand - Malaysia Iran - a Middle East country- an Asian country Africa - a Middle East country - Thailand - Cambodia or Malaysia Tehran (Iran) - Bangkok, Tehran (Iran) – Syria - Turkey - Bangkok Tehran (Iran) - Doha (Qatar) - Bangkok Shiraz (Iran) - Bahrain - Bangkok Istanbul (Turkey) – Bangkok Dubai (UAE) - Bangkok, Abu Dhabi (UAE) - Bangkok Amman (Jordan) - Damascus (Syria) - Bangkok Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) - Bangkok - Malaysia Mali- Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) - Bangkok - Benin South Africa - Ethiopia - Bangkok Ghana - Bangkok Nigeria - Cairo - Bangkok Myanmar – Bangkok – Philippines 6 Ecstasy routes: Netherlands-Thailand
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 20
Criminal Organization/syndicates
Figure 5 Criminals are arrested by polices.
African syndicate
- The most well known group which is mainly associated to drugs - West African syndicate is the worst and ruthless group which people in this
group is known to be the most wanted - Oblige innocent to handle the drug to different countries - Most of victims are Filipinos or Asians
United Wa State Army (UWSA)
- Most prolific ethnic trafficking group in Burma, 16,000 “active duty” troops - Opium, Heroin and Methamphetamine production - Supplies drug trafficking groups with opium, heroin, and methamphetamine,
which are then reportedly transported to the Thailand-Burma border
Shan State Army (SSA)
- Involved in drug trade in northern Thailand - Controls key areas along the northern Thailand–Burma border - Some SSA units along the border are involved in taxing drug caravans as they
cross into northern Thailand - Engaged in combat against the Burmese Army since December 2010
Kachin Defense Army (KDA)/Kachin Independence Army (KIA)
- Operates and is alleged to protect drug factories - During June 2011, fighting erupted between the KIA and the Burma Army in
the Kachin State, Burma
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 21
From Buyer
Cause of Thai people addict Some people are able to use recreational or prescription drugs without ever
experiencing negative consequences or addiction. For many others, substance use can
cause problems at work, home, school, and in relationships, leaving you feeling isolated,
helpless, or ashamed. What is the reason that leads the people to be drug addict? Here
are reasons why people turn to drugs.
• Stress. A recent study by the Partnership for a Drug-Free showed that 73
percent of teens report the number-one reason for using drugs is to deal with the
pressures and stress of school. Surprisingly, only 7 percent of parents believe that teens
might use drugs to cope with stress, showing parents severely underestimate the impact
of stress on their teens’ decision to use drugs.
• Social Acceptance and low Self-Esteem. A 2007 study reported 65 percent of
people say they use drugs to “feel cool.” People’ self-worth depends on the approval of
others, and their desire for social acceptance can drive them to engage in destructive
behaviors, even if they know it could harm them. The same study found that 65 percent
of people use drugs to “feel better can fill a void caused by not feeling good about
themselves.” People who have low self-esteem are more likely to seek acceptance from
the wrong crowd by using drugs.
• Self-Medication. The teen years are rough, and many people who are unhappy
don’t know how to find a healthy outlet for their frustration. These pent up emotions can
take an emotional toll and can even lead to depression or anxiety. A 2009 study reported
an estimated 70 percent of people suffer from undiagnosed clinical depression at some
point in their life. Many people are unaware that they have an underlying mental or mood
disorder that is causing them to use illegal or prescription drugs to self-medicate and
cope with their symptoms.
• Misinformation. Studies show that people are widely misinformed about the
dangers of drugs. Did you know that 40 percent of people don’t perceive any major risk
with trying drugs once or twice? While abuse of serious drugs is steadily declining among
people, their intentional abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications remains
a serious concern. Many people, 41 percent to be exact, mistakenly believe that it’s safer
to abuse a prescription drug than it is to use illegal drugs. Nearly 1 in 5 people have
already abused a prescription medication or prescription painkiller in order to get high or
deal with stress.
• Depression/Loneliness. We want to feel good physically and emotionally.
Sometimes drugs are the substitution for a healthy life experience. The person in pain
and they want to numb the pain. The drug numbs the pain and for a moment they don’t
feel as poorly. The person needs to escape the pain of the life experience, and for a short
while, the drug takes them away and they feel “better.”
• Severe Anxiety. Sometimes people need some help coping with life. Everyday
life becomes a struggle and simple things become too much to handle. Drugs are used to
deal with it. In the case of addiction, we are not talking about the use of medication,
under the care and observation of a doctor. People who have been clinically diagnosed
with anxiety can lead a very good life. We’re talking here about people who just need to
escape. Their drug of choice facilitates that escape.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 22
Thai people addict Case
From anonymous
I feel the rush as I exhale. My heartbeat accelerates and I lean back on a pile of
greasy nylon pillows. When I open my eyes again, Bangkok’s worst slum suddenly doesn’t
seem so bad. A glow has settled on the room. There are eight people here (mom and her
boyfriend are downstairs with their own stash). The conversation is warm and earnest. “I
started three years ago,” the impossibly thin girl is saying. “I lent money to a friend and
she paid me back with some pills. I’ve smoked yaba almost every day since. It makes me
feel confident. Thai’s are supposed to be shy. But I don’t want to be shy. If I was shy I
wouldn’t be able to do my work.” She drifts off, yabbering away in a mix of English and
Thai about an argument with her friend. Eventually she comes back and I catch what she
is saying: “Sometimes I think there are two me’s: nice me who is a very shy traditional girl
and nasty modern me – who likes dancing and drinking and talking and spending and
fucking and…” She drifts off.
From Gor (Student)
Figure 4 Student who is addict before
It is easy to start taking drugs, but it is very difficult to quit. Believe me I know it
well. Your life will never be the same again. Please don't try it even one time. Don't ruin all
your future by experimenting with drugs like me.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 23
Illegal drug analysis
Factors of selling drug in Thailand 1.Cost The low cost of drugs, about 50 baht per tablet each making easily accessible to all Thai people. 2. Low Revenue of Thai people Most of mountain tribes in the North which their homeland near to Thailand neighbor such as Myanmar, have a low revenue from their occupation so selling drug is quite easy and get so more money than the old jobs. 3.Trafficking Thailand is the way of transportation to the other countries. For example, transporting cocaine from Brazil to Malaysia, Thailand is the way of transportation. So, selling drugs in Thailand is beneficial and make the greater of selling. 4. The main producer Myanmar is the main producer for the region The drug sales are used to fuel to Wa state army, a pro- Yangon ethnic group said to operate around 50 laboratories close to the border, as well as mobile production units. 5.Bribe Many officers in Thailand involve in drugs, they discard criminals to produce and transport without arresting by getting money instead. Therefore the criminals still sell drugs if they pay for the bribe. 6. A few recovery centers There is a few recovery center, addicts are more than a lot if compare with number. So there are still a lot of addicts. 7. The widespread of using drugs Owners of boats in the southern coastal province of Ranong and construction foremen in
Bangkok are known to force their workers to take the drug at the beginning of the
workday.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 24
Attemp to fix the problem
Royal Duties
In the past 60 years, the footprint of the Thai king was placed everywhere
in the Thailand's ground without exception of the land of wilderness and
remoteness that has not been accessed. The images of a great king of Thai
people who have forsaken the comfort of the body devoted to devote his age
and devoted his heart is dedicated to dispelling the suffering and maintains the
happiness of the people and land.
The king has changed the mountain that was covered with tens of
thousands of acres of opium fields with the power of opium production is up to
200 tons per year into the land of many ethnic groups, tribes and watershed and
forest which had been overthrown burned from a shifting cultivation has been
replaced by the winter vegetables under the operation of the project was called
“the Royal Project”
In the past, the king has come to the hill village of Hmong tribe on the
Pui’s mountain that is located in the national park of Doi Suthep-Pui in Chiang-
Mai province. The visual in that place is shown the pathetic life of poverty people
that planting of opium and shifting cultivation for their living same as the
Hmong tribe of Mae Sa Mai village of Pong Yang district by the most of them was
migrated from the village of Pang Pa Kha that have been suppressed of drug
trafficking as same as of the Ban Nong Hoi Kao of Mae Ram district that is the
major source area of opium’s production and nearest to the center of Chiang-Mai
by words of the Ban Nong Hoi people said that when there used to produce the
opium as a career. There has problem about the food that has not been served
to all of people. There solve the solution by eating of the corn that there used to
feed the animals combining with the low quality of rice to serve what their needs
that as well as Khun Chang Kian village in Cherry Grove of Chang district that
came from the Hmong, Doi Pui because of the enough space for cultivation. In
that time, The Long-terms vision of the King is to maintain the upland forest
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 25
watershed and to gradually stop the cultivation of opium with a settled
residence. The King has initiative to find a winter crop to be planted and make it
to be a substitute for opium. When the peoples in the village earn more revenue
than the opium cultivation and have no more threat of government legislation. It
was the phase out opium cultivation and turned to winter crops, fruits, various
kinds of compensation. Most of all of the policies that the King mainly used are
love and the compassion.
The Royal solutions that integrated to treatment of pains to the tribal
nations who rely on the Royal protection and born to the “Royal” project that
effort to revive the fourth decade of his life to make hundreds of thousands of
people to live and work on sustainable forest upstream of the reconstruction.
The drug trade traffic has been break and turn the minority of national
sovereignty had become unstable people who call Thailand the "The Father
Land."
His mercy and grace give a good quality of life for the better view of the
majesty when the king visited at the Mae Sa Mai village is like precious treasure
which connect love and commitment that the people gave to him until the
present as well as to the peoples in Mhong village at Nhongh Hoi Kao in Mae Rim
district, Chaingmai and Mhong at Ban Khun chang kien in Meung district that the
majesty has visited to treat and help to the people of those 4 village and turn to
those villages to become a prototype villages that can be follow the wishing of
the majesty with self-sufficient life and legal occupation and living with the
nature with the King’s management system for the sustainable resource.
Around four decades of the King’s duty in order to make a better life to
the Mhone’s tribe. The King was dedicated himself and devoted from his speech
that he says when started the Royal project is the happiness of the people and
the stability of the country. Now the Royal project has 4 research stations and
has 38 developing station and has winter plant to encourage the high area
farmers for more than 350 types and has 13 hills for tribe farmers and more
than 150,000 people that has join the Royal project. The King has changed the
opium plantation to be a source of winter vegetable that make income for the
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 26
farmer around 450 million bath in 2531. The Royal project won the prize from
Magsaisai’s prize in the international understanding.
In 2546, The Royal project won the prize of Colombo plan that is the
organization that has been supported from USA government to cooperate for
fixes the drugs problem in Asia Pacific as a single project that can fix the opium
problem in term of creative and free of violence that has been successful. The
method of the Royal project is to acceptable and make interoperations to many
countries and become to be a prototype for developing high area farmers in
regional an expand to other country such as Bhutan, Afghanistan, Columbia and
neighboring countries in South East Asia and continue and drive the mission in
term of help hill tribe and help the world.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 27
Government, Official and Agencies
National drug control strategy
Drug control strategy of Thailand comes out of an idea of disconnecting drug
demand from drug supply and being obliged to the principle that "drug addicts are
patients who are in need of treatment while drug traffickers are those who must be
punished under the judicial process"
Based on the seriousness of drug situation since Thailand has long been facing
the problem of illicit drug production, illicit drug trafficking and illicit drug consumption,
the Government has placed drug control as the national agenda. The drug control policy
has been placed as the top priority of every Government.
Intensity efforts are given by the Royal Thai Government to solve drug problems
in comprehensive and systematic manner. Pursuant to Police Statement to the National
Assembly, Drug issue was placed as the country's urgent problem under Policy on Social
Welfare and Human Security item 3.5.7 which states "Intensify efforts in solving the
narcotics drug problem in a comprehensive and systematic manner, from prevention to
suppression to rehabilitation of drug addicts, in tandem with improving relevant
legislation in accordance with the evolving situation and ensuring strict enforcement of
law, and enhance cooperation with neighboring countries and the international
community in addressing the narcotic drug problem". Cooperation with neighboring
countries and international community in fighting against illicit drugs is also enhanced
enthusiastically to address drug problems.
Government policies
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
On 30 Aug 2011, ONCB declared the drug policy of the current Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra.
The government thinks that the drug is considered a national agenda to be taken to resolve the issue seriously. And will apply the plan from the Queen Speech to achieve the compliance. The government will use power of people as the many strategy to overcome the drug problem. The main strategic of government is “ 7 plans 4 adjusts 3 principles 6 improves”
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 28
7 plans include Plan 1 - Plan for social and community empowerment to overcome drug addiction. Plan 2 – Plan to help drug addicted Plan 3 - Anti-drug plan. Plan 4 - Suppression drug plan. Plan 5 - Plan for International Cooperation. Plan 6 - Plans to block cross-border drug monitoring. Plan 7 - Integrated management plan. 4 adjusts include Adjusts 1 – Adjust the information Adjusts 2 – Adjust the behavior of official Adjusts 3 – Adjust the law Adjusts 4 – Adjust the opinion of social and community to participate in resolve drug problem 3 principles include Principle 1 – Use love, compassion, and fellow and aimed to return happy to social. Principle 2 – Use the good willingness of law along with combating and suppression. Principle 3 – Use area approach as case study. 6 improves include Improves 1 – Improve the operation information. Improves 2 – Improve to decrease the drug problem from community. Improves 3 – Improve the cooperation of international and interception of drug. Improves 4 – Improve to suppress seller and decrease the trouble of citizen Improves 5 – Improve to solve the youth. Improves 6 – Improve the strong community
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva
On 18 March 2009, Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva declared to take drastic measures to
crack down illicit drugs with tangible results
within six months. In this connection, the
government would implement a "five fences"
strategy for controlling and reducing nationwide
drug problems. The referred fences infer building
immunity, creating activities and establishing a working process in which people
concerned both public and people sectors can effectively work together and measure are
integrated to keep drug addicts, drug dealers and risk groups away from drugs. This "five
fences" strategy listed as follows:
Border fence is creating activities and a working process in order to strengthen
measure, prevent drug smuggling into the country along the target border areas.
Community Fence is creating activities and a working process according to all
measures that facilitate strengthening and building drug immunity in the target
village/communities.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 29
Social fence is creating activities and a working process such as implementing
integrated social order, eliminating all kinds of negative risk factor, enhancing positive
factors affecting the drug immunity building in order to strengthen the societies of all
provinces.
School Fence is creating activities and a working process such as strengthening
family institution to be more immune to drugs and be a good fundamental unit of society.
The "five fences" strategy had already been implemented for 2 phases, which the
second phase had just been terminated in September 2010. Now Thailand is
implementing the third phase (November 2010-September 2011) of the strategy.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
Even if it goes up to 5 years, however, that the
aftermath of the war on drugs in the era of Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra still in the memory of
dead’s relatives who would not think that this person is
returned to power again.
"I want to kill them dead" is the word of merchants selling food. Mention to the Police
and prime minister that is a leading cause of death of his son.
The Human rights organization believes that these are the work of police that
support the drug trade practice clearance of Thaksin's policies, which is criticism about
the harassment or killing people without due process.
Before the coup, Thaksin Shinawatra, in 2006 the people's hearts with grass-roots
populist policies. And declared war on drug trafficking, especially methamphetamine
epidemic that is hard.
A report from the Narcotics Control Board on the 2008 crime statistics
indicate that Thailand's rising 88 percent during the month of February to April
2003, which was a government crackdown on drug traffickers vigorously. With the
2873 murder case in 1370 is related to drug cases.
Benjamin Wagga in Albuquerque, researchers from Thailand, said Amnesty
International is "to fear" when that person is behind the war on drugs. Thai politics will
return soon.
"When there is a possibility that politicians will return to the previous page, it is
possible as well. In the future, there may be a new war on drugs, "he said oiling things.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 30
International/Regional Cooperation
Maintain active and close cooperation with the other agencies in suppression of
narcotics, included intelligence exchange and promote cross border cooperation with
other counterpart as important allies in this matters.
Annually, ONCB will hold a meeting and field excursion for DLOs stationed in
Thailand. The activity is about to updating current drugs situation and reviewing mutual
cooperation procedures among all international representatives and Royal Thai law
enforcement officers. Moreover, all delegations will gain an opportunity to established
interpersonal relationship enhancing their future joint-operation and intelligence in
fighting against trans-organized drugs crimes.
Currently, there are drug liaisons posting to Thailand from 25 countries and 3
organizations as follows:
- Australia Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian
AFP continued to provide funding for support and assistance to the Thailand
Transnational Crime Coordination Network, the Cambodian Transnational Crime Team
and the Colombian Transnational Crime Team. The assistance provided by the AFP
through the LECP ensures that each team/unit/network continues to service investigations
in their respective agencies and requests for operational support from the AFP across all
crime types in a timely, secure and effective manner. There also providing intelligence
training program that delivered to Thailand, China, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Burma.
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canada
Thailand and Canada have cooperated closely in preventing and combating drug abuse
throughout. Both in terms of information exchange and coordination between the
authorities crack down on drugs. Canada has sent the staffs to coordinate drug from
Canada Police Department were came to Thailand since 2519 and has provided assistance
in the areas of protection of drug and crop substitution. Both directly and through the
United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse. The assistance will be provided training to staff in
the drug war in Thailand by sent the Canada staff as a training officer in able to teaching
the Thailand staff by focusing on the drug news and financial investigations and narcotics
technique and the use of special investigative techniques.
This is an example case of the Canadian police in combating the drug transport
into the country from Thailand to Canada.
Project E-PAGE
In June 1999, Project E-PAGE culminated after a 2 1/2 year international
investigation with the arrest of 28 individuals of an organized crime group active in
British Columbia, and various cities in the United States, Hong Kong, Thailand and
Myanmar. Approximately 6.3 kilograms (9 units) of heroin were seized in the United
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 31
States. This investigation foiled a number of conspiracies to import large shipments of
heroin to North America. 6 Recent large seizures in British Columbia (70 kilograms in
November 1998 and 42 kilograms in February 1999) have reduced supplies and pushed
the unit (700 g) price up into the $55,000 range as opposed to $40,000 in 1998.
- National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), Cambodia
The both sides are discussed and exchanged the information by to seek mutual
cooperation in drug control across the borders, particularly the establishment of Border
Liaison Offices (BLOs).
It also helps to coordinate the cross-border cooperation mechanism and has
established a Group meeting to exchange the overall of drug problem. As seen below.
• Joint Commission
• Border Peace Keeping Committee
• General Border Committee
• Regional Border Committee
• Thailand-Cambodia Meeting on Drug Law Enforcement Cooperation
• High Level Bilateral Drug Control Meeting
• Provincial Cross-Border Drug Control Meeting
- National Narcotics Control Commission (NNCC), China
Thailand and China have cooperated closely in preventing and combating drug abuse
throughout by establish the meeting between those country to exchange the knowledge
of drug problem such as the technology to detect the drugs in many situation, illegal
trafficking of drugs and to optimize the protection and prevention of international drug
problems.
Here is an example of cooperation between the National Narcotics Control
Commission (NNCC) and The Royal Thai Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) in
order to arrest of the drug traffickers.
The 10th Thailand - China Bilateral Meeting on Drug Control Cooperation
During 14 – 18 June 2011, ONCB delegation led by Mr. Sukhum Opasniputh,
Deputy Secretary General, NCB, attending the 10th Thailand – China Bilateral Meeting on
Drug Control Cooperation in Huangshan, Anhui Province, China. The Chinese delegation
led by Mr. Wei Xiaojun, Deputy Secretary-General, ONNCC.
The meeting agenda was about to review the mutual cooperation progress and
difficulties on drug control occurred during the previous year. The two countries also
agreed on mutual investigation and intelligence exchange on transnational drug
syndicates that influent and dominated the drugs trafficking and abuse in this region. For
instance, the West African and the Iranian group became the most threatening ones at the
moment. In addition, the forum marked a concern on air route trafficking according to the
newly promote of commercial flight traveling among Bangkok – Guangzhou – Kunming.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 32
Furthermore, both countries agreed on mutual cooperation on narcotics forensic in
exchanging their forensic scientists as to share the experiences and lesson-learned
between each other. The exchange training of narcotics law enforcement officer was
granted as well.
Finally, the venue completed with successful conclusion on drugs control not only
the gain for the both parties but also benefit to all neighboring countries and this region
as a whole.
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), United States of America
DEA offices have been working side by side with the Kingdom of Thailand to
crack down on both the production and trade of drugs including heroin and other illegal
drugs in South-east Asia. DEA has proposed a training technique used to suppress the
drug to achieve the crackdown on drugs in Thailand. And law enforcement officials as
well as officials from other neighboring countries and many other countries.
The DEA offices are in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies. The
investigation is continuing to make adjustments to cope with the ever-changing threats.
One way is to put Internet network used to obtain information on the whereabouts of the
public. This site is a part of the project of “Reward for a clue”, the DEA office, which
opened to the public across the continent with law enforcement agencies, can provide
clues about a person who is involved with drugs, terrorism and money laundering. This
project also received information about the criminals who escaped justice in the cases
occurring in Asia and the United States
Here is an example of cooperation between the Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) and The Royal Thai Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) in order to arrest of
the drug traffickers.
Operation Global Sea (1995)
In 1994, Southeast Asian heroin, which was smuggled by ethnic China and
Nigeria-based traffickers, was one of the greatest drug threats to the United States.
Almost 60 percent of the heroin that came to the United States at that time originated in
Southeast Asia’s “Golden Triangle”—Burma, Laos, and Thailand. Those mainly responsible
were ethnic Chinese traffickers who controlled sophisticated international networks that
smuggled hundreds of kilograms of heroin in commercial cargo on a regular basis. In
addition to the China, Nigeria and West Africa-based trafficking organizations helped
smuggle the heroin, typically using the “shotgun” approach to smuggling by recruiting
third party couriers to travel aboard commercial airlines and smuggle from one to 10
kilograms of heroin per trip. In response to this facet of the drug trade, Operation Global
Sea targeted a Nigerian, female-led, drug trafficking organization that was responsible
for smuggling into the United States $26 million worth of high-purity Southeast Asian
heroin. Global Sea, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation, was
comprised of the DEA, the U.S. Customs Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and
law enforcement authorities in Thailand, Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Mexico, and
the Netherlands. By the end of this 18-month investigation, Operation Global Sea had
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 33
immobilized the Chicago-based drug organization by seizing 55.5 kilograms of heroin
with an average purity of 80 percent arresting 44 defendants in Bangkok, Chicago, New
York City, Detroit, and Pakistan.
- Foreign Anti Narcotics & Crime Community of Thailand (FANC)
By establish a meeting between the two parties. DSI will present the issues in the
role and its defensive missions to combating transnational crimes including the exchange
of drug’s information and the experience while working to prevent crime.
- Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCiD), Malaysia
The cooperation in combating drugs between Thailand – Malaysia began in 2524
with a Drug Law Enforcement meeting once a year by the purpose that to discuss both
policy and strategy to solve the problem of transporting illegal drug across borders and
international drug trafficking.
The 29th Thailand - Malaysia Drug Law Enforcement Meeting
During 15-16 August 2006, Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID),
Royal Malaysia Police hosted the 29th Malaysia-Thailand Bilateral Meeting on Narcotics
Law Enforcement Cooperation in Tawau, Sabah State. Malaysian Delegation was led by
Dato’ Mohd. Pol.Lt.Gen led Najib Bin Abdul Aziz, Director of NCID, and Thai Delegation.
Krisna Polananta, Secretary-General, NCB. The discussion of the meeting covered the
updated drug situation, information exchange, and operational cooperation in
suppressing illicit drug trafficking between the two countries.
- NORDIC DLO (Denmark/Sweden), Sweden
NORDIC DLO was cooperated with many various countries such as DEA (USA), NSB
(Thailand) to exchange and discuss about the international drug problem and draft the
international drug law. They helped each other’s to prevent and arrest many of drug
dealers.
This is an example case of the Swedish police in the fight against drug dealers
from Sweden that came to Thailand and produce drugs in Thailand in cooperation with
the US and Thailand police officers to arrest the drug dealers.
A DEA and NSB officer with the Swedish polices breaking the source of ICE’s
drug in Rayong province. The action sets are classified into two sets. First, is to set up the
ICE’s production block. The second one is to suspects the drug dealers after arrested
them. The officers found a 2kg crystal of ice after searching the house by used to track
the behavior of Mr. Ericsson for the activities that he was made before he came to
Thailand
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 34
For Mr. Ericsson, Who is leading the industry's largest ice drug in Sweden; Mr.
Ericsson was in Thailand to manufacture and sell the ICE’s drug and be prepared to send
it back to sell in Sweden and many countries in Europe.
- Belgium Federal Police, Belgium
- NORDIC DLO (Denmark/Sweden), Denmark
- The Central Office against Illegal Narcotics Trafficking (OCRTIS), France
- Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), Germany
- Attorney General's Office (AGO), Indonesia
- Israeli Police, Israeli
- The Central Drugs Directorate (DCSA) – Bangkok, Italy
- National Police Agency / Japanese Customs, Japan
- The Embassy of Republic of Korea, Korea
- Criminal Intelligence Division (CRI) / National Police Agency, Netherlands
- New Zealand Police, New Zealand
- Embassy of Nigeria, Nigeria
- Norwegian Police, Norway
- Embassy of Peru, Peru
- The Embassy of the Russian Federation, Russia
- Spanish Police, Spain
- The Embassy of Switzerland, Switzerland
- Serious Organized Crime Agency, United Kingdom
- Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Singapore
- UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
- ICPO / Interpol
- International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA)
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 35
Information sharing & Resource
As the platform for addressing domestic, regional and international drug problem. Development of numerous mechanisms: both in Bi-Lateral and Multi-Lateral forms.
- Commission on Narcotic Drugs - Meeting of Heads of national Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and
Pacific - International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) - IDEC Far East Region Working Group - Asia Pacific Operational Drug Enforcement Conference - Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Drug Matter - Anti-Drug Liaison Officials Meeting for International Cooperation - Seniors Official Committee Meeting of the Signatories to the 1993 - ASEANAPOL Conferences - Joint Thailand-Malaysia Working Committee on Criminal Activities Meeting - Bilateral Meeting between Thai-Malaysia - Bilateral Meeting between Thai-Laos PDR - Bilateral Meeting between Thai-Cambodia - Bilateral Meeting between Thai-Myanmar - Bilateral Meeting between PNSB, Royal Thai Police -CNB, Singapore - Joint Narcotics Training Course Between PNSB, Royal Thai Police -CNB,
Singapore NClD,
Legal Framework To Combat Drugs (Laws)
Main narcotics control laws in Thailand can be classified into 4 following categories:
1) Laws on controlling narcotic substances - Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979) - Psychotropic Substances Act B.E.2518 (1975) - Emergency Decree on Controlling the Use of Volatile Substance B.E.2533
(1990)
2) Laws on designating powers and duties to competent authority
- Narcotics Control Act B.E.2519 (1976) - Act on Measures for the Suppression of Offenders in an Offence Relating to
Narcotics B.E. 2534 (1991) - Act on Authorizing Naval Officers for the Suppression of Some Offences
Committed by Sea (No.4) B.E. 2534 (1991) - Money Laundering Control Act B.E.2542 (1999) - Act on Procedure of Narcotic Case B.E. 2550 (2007)
3) Laws on special measure
- Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Act B.E. 2545 (2002) - Act on Measures for the Suppression of Offenders in an Offence Relating to
Narcotics B.E. 2534 (1991) - Money Laundering Control Act B.E.2542 (1999) - Act on Procedure of Narcotic Case B.E. 2550 (2007) - Taxation Law
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 36
4) Laws on controlling precursor and essential chemicals for illicit drug production
- Commodities Control Act B.E. 2495 (1952) - Hazardous Substances Act B.E. 2535 (1992) - Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979) - Psychotropic Substances Act B.E.2518 (1975) - Emergency Decree on Controlling the Use of Volatile Substance B.E.2533
(1990) - Import and Export Act B.E. 2522 (1979)
The followings laws are utilized to prosecute drug offenders:
- Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008) - Act on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters B.E.2535 (1992) - Legislation Procedure for Cooperation between States in the Executive of
Penal Sentences B.E.2527 (1984) - Witness Protection Act B.E.2546 (2003) - The Criminal Procedure Code - Act on Procedure of Narcotic Case B.E. 2550 (2007)
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 37
Laws Enforcement Agencies 1. Royal Thai Police (RTP) Agencies of drug enforcement responsibilities within RTP. Integration all resources maintain high alert and set as high priority as National Agenda has declared. The implementation of five fences to protect the prevalence of the narcotics: from the border line- in road network-social-community-school and institution-family value. 1.1 Border Patrol Police (BPP) Border Patrol Police is act as soldier to control the peace around the border of country they allowed to act as police. At the foundation period they were used to against the communist to attack Thailand. BPP has 3 main properties 1.) They are asked for protect the criminal like police. 2.) They can fight like soldier. 3.) They can manage and serve help to people like other government officer. As we can see that Drugs is the main problem that attack our community. Traffic of drugs is mainly come from the border of Thailand. BPP is directly has responsibility to cover drugs traffic problem. BPP has divided to many parts for maximum control quality, BPP31 is control around northern part of Thailand, and BPP24 is control around East Northern of Thailand. We can see that a lot of drugs cases are under the control of BPP. Example Case - 8th March 2011, BPP31 and Provincial Police are arrest a big lot of the trafficking of Yaba and Ice around Pis-sa-nu-lok province and the they got 2,610,000 pills of Yaba and 210 grams of Ice. - 4th September 2010, BPP24 arrest 5 Marijuana retailers around Chiang-Mai province they found 494 Kg of Stick Marijuana and 7 bags of Marijuana are pack in the box in Containers Of Truck and in Bronze Honda CR-V. 1.2 Provincial Police Region Provincial Police are working like normal police. They are asking to protect people and control criminal. Provincial Police is divided in to 9 regions all over Thailand for easier to process their duty. Drugs is one of their under control duty. Each region of Provincial Police Region are have their owns plan that was applied to their region Example Case - PPR5 and DSI work co-operation to arrest the Yaba retailer. They have got 200,000 pills of Yaba. This case was happened by knowing of selling of Yaba at Chiang Mai province at the north of Thailand. 1.3 Metropolitan Police Bureau Metropolitan Police Bureau is another region of police. They have duty in Bangkok. The main duty is to help people and control the rising of criminal as another region.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 38
1.4 Central Investigation Bureau Central Investigation Bureau is one part of Royal Thai Police. They act like another police to serve people control criminal and protect the King. The main property of CIB is planning and advising for another police bureau that has related to them 1.5 Narcotic Suppression Bureau Narcotic Suppression Bureau is directly related to drugs suppression. The main property of this bureau is to give the suggestion about drugs to National Police Bureau, Drugs Suppression and advising to another related police co-operation of some department All of above are the main department of Royal Thai Police that related to drugs problem. They often co-operation to access the goal to suppressing drugs and these are some of example that come out from co-operation of some department - BPP & PP 1-9 responsible for narcotic crop eradiation. - Metro & PP 1-9 responsible for suppression of local drug pusher within on jurisdiction. - Central Investigation Bureau responsible for interdiction on transportation routes. - Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) responsible for suppression of refineries, syndicates, financiers, and major cases investigation. 2 Ministry of Justice 2.1 Office of Narcotic Control Board ONCB was found in 18th November 1976, the main property is to suppress drug problem. Because of wide spread of drug problem and become stronger problem, we need high cooperation of many government departments. From this, make ONCB to be like head quarter of drug problem suppression. Vision: The ONCB will be the central agency of excellence in integrated managing and
confidence building on drug control of national and international counterparts by 2015.
Mission:
1. To formulate national narcotics control strategy by taking into account of drugs situation
2. To manage the narcotics control work as stipulated in the national narcotics control strategy
3. To supervise and direct the integration / codification of narcotics law enforcement and other related of narcotics control laws
4. To cooperate with the foreign countries / international organizations / communities in fighting against illicit drugs
5. To monitor, examine and keep a close watch over the epidemic of drugs
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 39
Example Case - Between 6-7th September 2011, ONCB has known that there is a “Lee Saw” man selling “Yaba” around Chiang Mai and Lam-Poon. ONCB are planning trick to arrest them and finally they got 200,000 pills of Yaba. 2.2 Office of the Attorney General (สํานักงานอัยการสูงสุด) Office of the Attorney General is responsible for all criminal proceedings, civil proceedings and providing legal advice to governments and government agencies. Office of the Attorney General is related with drug problem on the laws side. 2.3 Department of Corrections (กรมราชทัณฑ) The main property of this office is to control the prisoner. They have special plan for drug prisoner to therapy them and make them better people after they have finished their penalty. The control of drug problem can see in prison and they aimed to suppression them too. Vision: To become an efficient agency in keeping into custody and rehabilitating prisoners in order to. Mission:
• Professionally keeping prisoners in custody • Rehabilitating prisoners with efficiency.
Example case - Department of Corrections recognizes the old building converted into a prison condo. This condo is special use for the identification and detention of suspects of drug cases. From the prison overcrowding and stuffing problems, Department of Corrections identified more than 2,600 in Bangkok prisons. - Prison officials of Song-Khla have confiscated 24 tubes of ice, which is stuffed into the chicken soup smuggled to prisoners. Then control 4 visitors to extend the network into prison gang of drug traffickers. 2.4 Department of Special Investigation DSI is one of famous department in Thailand, because a lot of famous case is under control of DSI. DSI is compatible to every kind of case from drug to crime. Case that will under control of DSI is a kind of complex case that needs special technique in investigation.
Example Case - DSI has been reported from northern sources said. The process of manufacturing methamphetamine precursor transport. On 30th June 2011 at approximately 18:10 pm, DSI and co-accused were arrested three people With 10 bags of pills (approximately 1 million pills) at BKK.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 40
2.5 Anti-Money Laundering Anti-Money Laundering is a state agency that has authority to set rules and ensure compliance with the law to prevent and suppression of money laundering. And the audit of financial information related to money laundering. Anti-Money Laundering is related to drug problem with the plan to protect laundering the money from selling drug. 3 Ministry of Public Health 3.1 Food and Drug Administration Food and Drug Administration has the special department that work with drugs call Narcotic Control Division. Because of using of drug and medicine in medic, there are some drugs that except from Food and Drug Administration and allowed to use. The property of this division is to filtered and scan drug. There is not only Food and Drug Administration that under the control of Ministry Of Public Health. There are another hospital and department that will give advice and make therapy for drug-addicted people. We can see that there are too many department that undertake this problem Example - Thanyarak’s Institute, Department of Medical Services - Hospital Accreditation or HA – this department is use to guarantee the hospital 4 Army - Royal Thai Army - Royal Thai Navy - Royal Thai Air force
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 41
Arrest/Seizure/Raids/Operations (statistics) 1 Statistics on Drug Cases and Offenders in Thailand (Year 2001- 2010)
2 Statistics on Major Drug Seizures and Cases in Thailand (2002-June 2010)
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
Offender in Thailand
0 20 40 60 80
100 120
Million of Tablets
0 200 400 600 800
1000 1200
Kilogram
0 50,000
100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000
Drug Cases
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
Drug Cases
0 500
1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000
Drug Cases
1 Methamphetamine (YABA)
2 Heroins
b
b
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 42
0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000
Kilogram
0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000
100,000 120,000 140,000 160,000
Tablets
0
50
100
150
200
Tablets
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Kilograms
0 5,000
10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Drug Cases
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Drug Cases
0 50
100 150 200 250 300 350
Drug Cases
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
Drug Cases
3 Dried Marihuana
5 Ketamine
4 Ecstasies
b
6 Volatile Substances
b
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 43
0
200
400
600
800
Kilograms
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Drug Cases
8 Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (ICE)
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 44
Statistic of arrest in ASEAN member countries of the NSB from June 2009
until at present
No. Nationality Number
of case
Number
of Arrest
Type of exhibit Number of exhibit
1 Laos 25
1
31
1
• Methamphetamine
pills (YABA)
• Dry cannabis
• Cocaine
• Ecstasy
• Immigration Law
107,221 pills
403 kilograms
12.8 grams
1 pill
2 Malaysia 18 21 • Methamphetamine
Crystal (ICE)
• Methamphetamine
pills (YABA)
• Ketamine
• Ecstasy
• Erimin5
40,674.55 grams
224,000 pills
30.18 grams
7438.5 pills
73 pills
3 Myanmar 30
2
2
1
42
2
2
1
• Methamphetamine
pills (YABA)
• Methamphetamine
Crystal (ICE)
• Heroin
• Immigration Law
1,153,404 pills
22,400.5 grams
182 grams
4 Vietnam 1 1 • Methamphetamine
Crystal (ICE)
3,700 gram
5 Cambodia 6 6 • Methamphetamine 4,910 pills
6 Brunei - - - -
7 Philippine 6
1
1
9
1
1
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine
Crystal (ICE)
• Heroin
11,760 pills
3,080 grams
2.6 grams
8 Singapore - - - -
9 Indonesia 1 - • Methamphetamine
Crystal (ICE)
6000 grams
TOTAL 51 118
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 45
Asset Forfeiture
There are two major legislations applied for forfeiture of property in Thailand. As a signatory to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, Thailand has firstly enacted the Act on Measures for the Suppression of Offenders in an Offence Relation to Narcotics B.E.2S34 (1991) as a criminal forfeiture law allowing law enforcement agencies to manage properties seized and forfeited in drug criminal cases. The proceeds from the sale of forfeited assets are used to further law enforcement initiatives to fight against drugs and to distribute to the Narcotics Control Fund after the owner convicted of a crime. Later on, the Anti Money Laundering Act B.E.2S24 (1999) was also enacted in 1999 as a civil asset forfeiture law applying asset seizure measure to seven predicate offences including the drug offence. At present, after amended in 2001, this law could be applied for one more' predicate offence of terrorism. In case that the said two laws could not be applied, personal income tax examination would be imposed under the Thai Revenue Code as an additional measure for prosecuting drug criminal suspects committing tax evasion. All these measures aim to cripple money influences of drug traffickers. In 2010, under the Act on Measures for the Suppression of Offenders in an Offence Relating to Narcotics B.E.2534 (1991}, the total value of assets seized was at 1,1
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 46
Solution
Treatment& Rehabilitation DRUG ABUSERS AND ADDICTS ARE REGARDED AS "PATIENTS" WHO SHOULD
RECEIVE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION. Drug addicts and abusers are encouraged to report themselves to the authorities for further treatment and rehabilitation provided in various modules. Drug abusers and addicts are classified before entering the treatment and rehabilitation system. Self-report drug abusers are sent to behavioral-psycho-social modification programs run by agencies concerned while self-report drug addicts are sent to voluntary treatment facilities. Vocational training schemes are given to those who have already undergone treatment and rehabilitation. Aftercare services are also provided to assist recovering addicts or users to reintegrate into their communities.
Number of addicts who undergo drug treatment classified by types of drugs
Number of person in treatment classified by treatment system
0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000
100,000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Methamphetamine
Heroin
Opium
Volatile Substance
Ecstasy
Cocaine
Katom
Marijuana
-
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Correctional
Compulsary
Voluntary
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 47
One problem in the drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation in Thailand is the
majority of addicts use stimulants. The withdrawal symptoms are not as severe as
depressant addiction. Therefore, the persons themselves, persons closed to them, and
the general public is not aware of the problem until the impacts are obvious or persons
under intoxication create problems. Methamphetamine in tablet form or Yaba remains the
main drug of abuse. However, ice or crystalline methamphetamine has been increasing. A
large number of former Yaba users have turned to inhalants or volatile substances.
Inclusion of volatile substance addicts under compulsory treatment
In 2007, realizing that volatile substances abuse has increasingly widespread
and become a serious problem particularly among children and youths, the Ministry of
Public Health proposed an amendment of the Volatile Substances Abuse Prevention law to
encourage volatile substances abusers to enter voluntary treatment and otherwise are
subject to compulsory treatment under the Drug Addicts Rehabilitation Act 2002. The
inclusion' has become effective on July 1st
, 2008. Volatile abusers are classified into 3
groups, i.e., abusers, addicts, and addicted with psycho-neuron problems.
While health personnel are preparing to cope with volatile substances abusers,
intensive campaigns are also launched to raise public awareness on the seriousness of
volatile substances abuse to mobilize social participation in monitoring the problem, to
raise awareness among children and youths, and to mobilize cooperation from involved
business sector to prevent the abuse.
Hospital accreditation for addiction treatment and rehabilitation
In Thailand there are voluntary treatment system, compulsory treatment
system, and convictional treatment system. Approximately 1,044 treatment facilities
provide voluntary treatment, 71 facilities for compulsory treatment and 171 facilities for
conviction treatment. Both health personnel, and non-health personnel provide these
treatment services. Therefore, Thailand has tried to standardize the services through
hospital accreditation or HA. Currently, there are criteria on treatment facilities and
rehabilitation centres in all system, i.e. voluntary, compulsory and correctional system.
Furthermore, a temple 'is also accredited for drug rehabilitation. Up to present, there are
more than 300 temples that were already inspected and accredited.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 48
Establishment of drug treatment networks
Academic networks of various bodies have further developed research and
development, as well as best practices from projects implemented in Thailand. For
instances, The Office of the Narcotics Control Board has created a network with
universities in four regions to do researches and organize an annual academic meeting.
Also, Thanyarak Institute, which is a key agency under Ministry of Public Health in
providing knowledge on drug treatment, annually
Organizes an academic meeting on drug treatment. The purpose is to provide an
opportunity for drug treatment practitioners from various organizations, both under and
'not under Ministry of Public Health, to present their works and share knowledge with
each other. Moreover, the Department of Health Service Support, Ministry of Public Health,
organizes a knowledge-sharing forum on drug treatment and rehabilitation management
for participating provinces.
Community-based programme
Thailand has been prioritizing the community-based drug treatment and
rehabilitation. For example, The Office of the Narcotics Control Board provided financial
support to the civil society in the community-based rehabilitation project with an objective
to develop 14 model community-based drug treatment and rehabilitation centres. Also,
the Department of Medical Services, the Department of Religious Affairs and the Office of
the Narcotics. Control Board jointly developed and provided a quality assurance to
temples providing drug rehabilitation services in community. And Probation Offices has
implemented a pilot project on community-based drug rehabilitation by using community
centres on sufficient economy as a place for rehabilitating patients in a compulsory
system.
Thailand has emphasized on reintegration of patients. Complete treatment
and report systems have been established, from searching, screening, treatment and
rehabilitation, patient discharge to aftercare and assistance service after reintegration
into the community. Every province is required to establish its own assistance centre.
Currently, many areas can operate on their own though still in limited scope. Thailand is
developing and improving this matter by learning from the Rayong Model Project in which
a complete assistance centre is established and formal agreements are signed between
the centre and private workplaces to employ persons who underwent a treatment. The
Office of the Narcotics Control Board has documented a best practice from the Rayong
Model and distributed to concerned agencies nationwide.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 49
Drug addict’s treatment and rehabilitation of Yingluck Government Policy The government wants to see 400,000 of addicts return to be a good person in the society by divided treatment in to three levels including heavy patient, moderated patient and a little patient. For heavy and moderated patient must cooperate with the development of citizen school of Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Public Health. For a little patient will get the narcotic knowledge and acquire some new occupation for them by responsibility of local governed organization.
Drug rehabilitation of Wat Tham Krabok
Wat Tham Krabok has gained global notoriety for its heroin and opium drug
rehabilitation program, which was started in 1959. Over 100,000 heroin and opium
addicts have since gone through the unique Wat Tham Krabok detox program, which
includes Buddhist meditation, Asian herbal supplementation used for relaxation, induced
vomiting, and the consumption of a secret detoxification potion made of over 100
unknown Asian herbs.
After failing in other detox programs, a number of popular Western drug addicts
have sought treatment at Wat Tham Krabok, including British punk rock musician Pete
Doherty, rock music singer Christy Dignam of Aslan, American computer underground
personality Patrick K. Kroupa and British singer songwriter Tim Arnold.
In 2004, Tim Arnold's success story was the subject of many news articles in the
UK, he subsequently became a permanent Tham Krabok resident and favorite 'son' of the
monastery's abbot, Luang Por Charoen.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 50
Relapse Prevention
The first stages of an addiction relapse happen long before the drug or drink again
enters the body. It starts when the addict returns to their old ways of thinking and coping.
It may be weeks or even months later before the addict actually uses again.
This means that there is almost always time for successful relapse prevention. Relapse
prevention is a part of all of the programs we offer.
Relapse prevention includes both planning and a commitment to following that
plan. Because there are numerous warning signs before a relapse occurs, a key part of a
relapse prevention plan is being honest with you about what events might trigger a
relapse, and determining how to respond - ahead of time.
Why is relapse prevention necessary?
In theory, yes but there are plenty of addicts who relapse and never find their way
back into sobriety. The journey from addiction to recovery has often been described as a
trip to hell and back. After escaping from hell, do you really want to go back there again,
and risk not finding your way home?
To Solve Social Surrounding
It chooses to be the best way to avoid drug addicts to relapse again. To provide
training occupation, looking for a jobs arrangement and social work might help the drug
addicts who are unemployed in the occupation to gain knowledge and ability for getting
back to enter to society again. The guidance consults to parents for understanding
problem and get help each other in correctly ways so; a chance to get back again will be
less. The arrangement has to serve the public health in Thai mountain village at the
beginning, which uses the opium to edit and treat as a medicine. To solve public
community problem such as unlawful assemble place problem, temptation place, slum,
poorness, unemployment, adolescent problem, and the attitude of the narcotic and drug
addicts will contribute to prevent and do not make them to relapse again. As you can see
that an environment solving is very hard to do but, a good treatment and rehabilitation
will have an aim to get them back to enter in the society and environment with permanent
occupation.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 51
CONCLUSION/ RECOMMENDATION AND OUR ANALYSIS
AS WE WELL AWARE THAT THE MATTER OF NARCOTICS SUPPRESSION, ONE
CANNOT WORK ALONE AND BE SUCCEED. THE COUNTERPART OF THIS MATTER HAS TO BE
UNITED AND REFRESH CONTINUOUSLY, WE ARE SOME WAY RELY ON ONE ANOTHER TO
MAKE THIS TASK SUCCEED. NARCOTICS PROBLEM IS GLOBAL PHENOMENA AND INDEED
NEED THE GLOBAL RESPONSE, CREATING CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITIES. PROMOTING THE
CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION AS ESSENTIAL PART OF ALL METHOD, JOINT IN HAND AND
SHARE INFORMATION. MEETING IN REGULAR BASIS THROUGH THE COMMITMENT AND
SAME MUTUAL INTEREST WE SHARE INFORMATION. ABOVE ALL MEETING MAY NOT ABOUT
THE PRODUCTIVITY ALONE. BUT IT'S ALSO FORMING THE IMAGE AND TRUSTING ON ONE
ANOTHER. ORGANIZED CRIME CONTINUES TO EVOLVE AS LAW ENFORCEMENT BECOME
MORE ADEPT AT INFILTRATING THEIR OPERATION WORK CLOSELY WITH ITS PARTNER TO
ENSURE OUR CONTINUED SUCCESS AGAINST THESE CRIMINALS STAND FOR VALUE OF
INTERNATIONAL POLICING PARTNERSHIP IN COMBATING NARCOTICS CRIME
For solution analysis
SOFT POWER
THE ROYAL DUTIES is should be the foundation to solving the drug
problem. The main solutions of the king are:
• Provide the education and instill into people mind.
• Give the occupation to make people rely on themselves.
• Develop the quality of human’s life.
• Established the Royal School to create the foundation of occupation.
The result that shown this foundation is work is the solving of opium
problem in the North of Thailand (mountain tribe)
• The Royal Project gain the income for the farmer around 450 million bath
in 2531
• Stop Opium cultivation by no violent.
In opposite ways
HARD POWER
In Thaksin Shinnawat period
A report from the Narcotics Control Board on the 2008 crime statistics
indicate that Thailand's rising 88 percent during the month of February to April
2003, which was a government crackdown on drug traffickers vigorously. With
the 2873 murder case in 1370 is related to drug cases.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 52
The result
The drug is decrease when the hard power in action state. But when stop
using the hard power the double effect is breaking out immediately.
19/09/11 Drug Problem in Thailand Report 53
Reference
OFFICE OF THE NARCOTICS CONTROAL BOARDS
- http://www.oncb.go.th/
UNITED NATION OFFICE ON DRUG AND CRIME (UNODC)
- http://www.unodc.org/
The Asia-Pacific NGO on Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention (ASPAC-NGO)
- http://www.aspacngo.org/
DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION (DEA)
- http://www.justice.gov/dea/
ROYAL THAI POLICE
- http://www.royalthaipolice.go.th/
DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION (DSI)
- http://www.dsi.go.th/
TV BURABHA
- http://www.tvburabha.com/
NCCD
- http://www.nccd.go.th/
Superintendent of Foreign Affairs Sub-Division
General staff Division, Narcotics Suppression Bureau
- Office 02-521-8087
World Drug Report 2011
- UNODC e-book http://www.unodc.org
100 Years of Drugs Control
- UNODC e-book http://www.unodc.org