BANGKOK (NNT) - During the recent parliamentary session, the pressing issue of tackling the country's drug problem was highlighted. The concern has been equated to being as significant as the economic and education crises.

 

The discussion emphasized not only the need for reform of relevant organizations and existing measures but also highlighted the spread of the drug problem to student groups, showing that the issue has widely permeated society.

 

In response, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasized the government's efforts to tackle the drug problem. 

 

He stated that the administration has intensified efforts to eradicate the issue, through measures such as increasing the strictness in arresting both small and large-scale drug dealers and seizing their assets. 

 

However, he conceded that despite these arrests, there has not been a rise in the street price of methamphetamine, suggesting that further efforts are necessary to dismantle the cycle of drug abuse.

 

Additionally, the discussion covered the management of new types of drugs, such as Kratom extract, which has become popular among teenagers, and the accessibility of electronic cigarettes. These problems demonstrate that the fight against drugs must constantly evolve to respond to changes in time and societal context.

 

By Naark Rojanasuvan

 

Full story: NNT 2024-02-09

 

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There is nothing wrong with kratom if it is used sensibly. That might not apply among younger people.

 

It is addictive. However, AFAIK it does not cause psychosis as marijuana can, or remove inhibitions, as alcohol does. Its main function seems to be as a painkiller.

 

Personally, I find it to be far more effective than tramadol for pain relief. Tramadol seems to be the strongest medication legally available in Thailand for that purpose.

The problem is that drug use seems to have become fashionable in Thailand, many youngsters use it recreationally at parties, bars and in private. The availability and price makes it very easy to find.

More proactive education needs to show these people that it can easily lead to a slippery slope that results in jail time or at worst a long lingering death which affects the whole family.

Funny that the Chinese aren't dumping fentanyl here like they are in the West. 

 

The meth in Thailand appears to be a much milder form than has taken hold back home, where street people told me that the tweakers are dangerous and prey on the heroin/fentanyl addicts and drunks.  

Drug use reflects poverty and poor family structure. Unless those two conditions are improved, going after the dealers will be generally  ineffective as the conditions that support drug use and demand remain. 

Legalize everything with networks put in place to assist addicts. This of course will not happen as some very high up people would lose a very profitable income stream.

1 hour ago, Bobthegimp said:

The meth in Thailand appears to be a much milder form than has taken hold back home

 

That's crystal meth (Ice, Ya Ice here) back home, much stronger and more addictive, with regular meth being predominant and cheap here. There is a lot of crystal meth here but it is much more expensive.

 

A recent bust in Bangkok, yesterday. gives a snapshot of volume: 10 MILLION meth pills and 60 Kg of Crystal.

 

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/bangkok-police-seize-10-million-meth-pills-60kg-crystal-meth-in-major-drug-bust

 

Crystal meth volumes seem to be increasing, so things may get a lot worse.

 

 

The drudgery of life, the lack of opportunities, and little hope for the future drive the alcohol and meth use here. These are systemic problems that keep the powers that be at the top of the heap. There is no real urge to change the status quo, so the PM is just doing what he does best, talking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What on earth is Sweater on about? The price of meff hasn't risen? Indicating what? And what drug problem? They just assume there's one. Drugs and youth. Gotta be a problem, right? Nah. Idiots are idiots. Your technical colleges and education system are the problem.

Not a priority nor a crisis through some eyes. 

Merely another distraction and misdirection as to what really plagues Thai social/political orders. 

 

 

The bigger picture is being missed. 

On 2/9/2024 at 5:13 PM, snoop1130 said:

However, he conceded that despite these arrests, there has not been a rise in the street price of methamphetamine, suggesting that further efforts are necessary to dismantle the cycle of drug abuse.

At the moment Yar Bar is about 4 tablets for 100 baht, some say it has never been so cheap, been that price for some time now.

You see reports on here about drug busts/seizures lots of smart BIB standing around with the bust in front of them, but we never see or hear of any of these drugs being destroyed, it a case of in the fount door out the back door.

When our Thucksin was PM he did away with a lot of the drug dealers, it did work they were less drugs on the street, then the coup, one reason that was said, the army generals were losing a lot of income selling drugs in Thailand that were made in Burma, so they decided he must go.

Near where we live 7-8 years ago, an army general brought some land, not cheap, and built some houses, to be sold on, must be, up to press 15 , and still building, did not know they army salary was so high.

 

'

On 2/9/2024 at 5:26 PM, Lacessit said:

There is nothing wrong with kratom if it is used sensibly. That might not apply among younger people.

 

It is addictive. However, AFAIK it does not cause psychosis as marijuana can, or remove inhibitions, as alcohol does. Its main function seems to be as a painkiller.

 

Personally, I find it to be far more effective than tramadol for pain relief. Tramadol seems to be the strongest medication legally available in Thailand for that purpose.

many years ago I was introduced to Kratom leaves, we put them in a bottle thai whisky, let it sit for a couple days, then mix w soda: party time! just a one time thing, it's not my kind of herb!

nothing about painkiller, never heard about that before...

1 hour ago, khunpeer said:

many years ago I was introduced to Kratom leaves, we put them in a bottle thai whisky, let it sit for a couple days, then mix w soda: party time! just a one time thing, it's not my kind of herb!

nothing about painkiller, never heard about that before...

Everybody's body chemistry is different with respect to its reaction to pharmaceuticals.

 

For example, morphine does absolutely nothing for me. Cannabis just makes me feel woozy. OTOH, give me oral demerol, and you'd be picking me off the ceiling.

 

Kratom has to be extracted from the leaves by macerating and boiling. You may not have got any effect, because the bottle of whisky failed to extract anything.

We are in no position to judge or advise Thai society how to crackdown on drug use, because our Western societies literally swim in an ocean of drugs of all kinds. 

The cocktail known as "4x100" has been around for decades, and has caused a lot of problems including death by overdose.

 

It's made with Kratom (extracted), cough syrup, Coca-Cola, and ice.

 

The legalization of Kratom, if reports in the press are to be believed, has led to a big spike in the use/abuse of Kratom. The problem is said to be worse in the restive Southern provinces.

 

 

14 hours ago, kickstart said:

At the moment Yar Bar is about 4 tablets for 100 baht, some say it has never been so cheap, been that price for some time now.

 

According to reports in the press, the current price is 5 - 10 baht per pill, in small volumes (five or fewer). And a few years ago it was 300 baht.

 

 

Once fentanyl gets here, and most expect that to happen sooner rather than later, it might be over for a significant segment of Thai youth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 2/9/2024 at 5:13 PM, snoop1130 said:

He stated that the administration has intensified efforts to eradicate the issue,

 

Eradicating the issue is easy. Just stop talking or writing about it then it will no longer be an issue.

Making marijuana illegal again will add absolutely nothing to the decline of drug use.

It is much safer then all the chemical drugs around .

Also drug use has nothing to do with poverty but the rich are usually into cocaine,not only in the ?West but here also.

What is worrying is the fact that never ever anyone higher up the ladder gets convicted or even caught.

Investigations are only allowed up to a certain level and after that things just go quiet.

That is the main danger over here i think.

Oh yes and like one poster mentioned,where do the confiscated drugs go?

If some one is charged with possession of x amount but they were caught with double that amount?

Starting from the bottom will never work but starting from the top will never happen.

 

8 minutes ago, jvs said:

Oh yes and like one poster mentioned,where do the confiscated drugs go?

https://aseannow.com/topic/1315510-government-destroys-record-narcotics-haul/

 

12 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1315510-government-destroys-record-narcotics-haul/

 

Oh ,sure some get destroyed.

On 2/10/2024 at 6:30 AM, hotchilli said:

The problem is that drug use seems to have become fashionable in Thailand, many youngsters use it recreationally at parties, bars and in private. The availability and price makes it very easy to find.

More proactive education needs to show these people that it can easily lead to a slippery slope that results in jail time or at worst a long lingering death which affects the whole family.

Years ago students were mixing spirits with valium.

3 hours ago, zhounan said:

We are in no position to judge or advise Thai society how to crackdown on drug use, because our Western societies literally swim in an ocean of drugs of all kinds. 

Yep and a lot of that swimming is imported from Asia. CHINAAAAAAA!

25 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Yep and a lot of that swimming is imported from Asia. CHINAAAAAAA!

Let's do a reality check, okay?

 

When you end up focusing all your energy, your attention and your actions on defining what woman/man are, or throwing tomato soup on paintings, welcoming immigrants with barely naked dancers, pulling down statues, painting your daily life with multicoloured flags, promoting abuses and killings etc., you end up - among other things - lose control over raw materials (including those to produce drugs).

 

We shouldn't blame China if our societies are becoming Sodom and Gomorrah and lost the right trajectory.

1 hour ago, zhounan said:

Let's do a reality check, okay?

 

When you end up focusing all your energy, your attention and your actions on defining what woman/man are, or throwing tomato soup on paintings, welcoming immigrants with barely naked dancers, pulling down statues, painting your daily life with multicoloured flags, promoting abuses and killings etc., you end up - among other things - lose control over raw materials (including those to produce drugs).

 

We shouldn't blame China if our societies are becoming Sodom and Gomorrah and lost the right trajectory.

The demand in the U.S. is certainly the main issue. However, it doesn't exonerate China (although it stated to act against it).

 

As to the imaginary causality you are evoking, it's absolutely  ridiculous.

 

BTW, fentanyl initially started as a "white problem" in the U.S.

12 hours ago, candide said:

The demand in the U.S. is certainly the main issue. However, it doesn't exonerate China (although it stated to act against it).

 

As to the imaginary causality you are evoking, it's absolutely  ridiculous.

 

BTW, fentanyl initially started as a "white problem" in the U.S.

And said fentanyl came from where? .......China.

7 hours ago, dinsdale said:

And said fentanyl came from where? .......China.

Can you read?

"it doesn't exonerate China"

1 hour ago, candide said:

Can you read?

"it doesn't exonerate China"

My comment was agreeing with you and in response to @zhounan don't blame China

6 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

My comment was agreeing with you and in response to @zhounan don't blame China

Ah, ok!