A working committee has been set up to tackle illegal narcotics, with the active participation of the military and the aim of reducing the problem within a year, according to Thailand’s prime minister Srettha Thavisin today (Sunday).
After witnessing the destruction of seized narcotics by the Office of Narcotics Control Board in Samut Prakan province, the prime minister said that details about the working committee and how it will tackle the problem will be disclosed in due course, including such issues as the seizure of assets from the traffickers, money laundering and the time frame for the destruction of seized narcotics.
He noted that the military will play a more active role in preventing the smuggling of narcotics into Thailand from neighbouring countries.
Smuggling of methamphetamine in particular, from Myanmar and Laos, has intensified in recent years, with up to several million pills at a time being smuggled across the porous border.
The prime minister said that all relevant state agencies, such as the Interior and Public Health ministries, will be involved in the crackdown efforts.
Regarding cannabis, which has been removed from the Category 5 drug list and is more easily available through legal channels, the prime minister said the use of cannabis is restricted to medical purposes only and is not for recreation.
