Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew unveils a groundbreaking limit on methamphetamine possession, aimed at crippling small-time drug dealers once and for all.

 

“I insist the law will be effective right after it’s issued.”

 

Under the new policy, individuals found in possession of more than five methamphetamine pills will face criminal charges, while those with lesser quantities will be treated as drug users and offered rehabilitation instead of punishment.

 

“This is part of the government’s policy to treat drug users as psychiatrically ill patients to root out small dealers.”

 

Dr Cholnan assures that every aspect of the new drug limit has undergone rigorous review based on medical science, securing approval from relevant committees, the Cabinet, and the Council of State. Addressing concerns raised on social media about potential unintended consequences, Dr Cholnan asserts a zero-tolerance stance towards drug dealers.

 

“We will not show any tolerance to drug dealers.”

 

The health minister clarifies that while drug users will be given a chance to undergo rehabilitation instead of facing immediate incarceration, repeat offenders will face legal consequences. However, the law refrains from specifying a limit on rehabilitation attempts, with each case to be assessed individually, reported Bangkok Post.

 

“If the drug addicts have a strong intention to undergo rehab, one time is normally enough for them to change.”

 

In a strategic move to break the cycle of drug abuse, Dr Cholnan emphasises the importance of addressing the broader context in which drug addiction thrives.

 

“Most small drug dealers likely start as users until they run out of money and become dealers instead.

 

“If we can separate drug users from the sellers by rehabilitating them until they have recuperated, we will be able to eradicate the cycle of drug abuse.”

 

In related news, the second half of last year saw a significant spike in methamphetamine seizures in Thailand, with over 250 million pills intercepted, which is twice the quantity seized during the same period the prior year. This rise in the illegal drug trade is reportedly due to increased smuggling activities across the borders from neighbouring nations, as explained by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Caption: Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-21

 

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7 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew unveils a groundbreaking limit on methamphetamine possession

Man, things are changing in the Big Chili.....

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“If the drug addicts have a strong intention to undergo rehab, one time is normally enough for them to change.”

 

This has GOT to be one of the WORST things an ignorant politician has ever said. I've known too many people with an honest desire to quit whatever drug they were into undergo treatment multiple times. Ever been to an AA meeting? I doubt there is one person at any meeting anywhere that hasn't backslid multiple times. Same with NA.

 

I'm not knocking the efforts to clean it up in LOS, but statements like this undermine their credibility.

Dunno what the problem is, I used meth as a  kid  many times, first time I was  about 10 yrs  old although I did  have soem supervision initially until I knew  how to use it, I had very liberal parents who wanted me to learn new  things and i really enjoyed it, remember it  well, one of my friends  same age also used it.

The  good  old  days  when you could easily  obtain it, hours of  fun.  

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“If we can separate drug users from the sellers by rehabilitating them until they have recuperated, we will be able to eradicate the cycle of drug abuse.”

A better education system and increased employment opportunities aren't needed then. This guy is as bigger fool as the rest of them. Privileged upbringing with nothing between the ears. Getting people off of a meth addiction is a good thing but it will not solve the overall problem. I have a good idea though. Reclassify dope as a narcotic and make personal use illegal. That should fix it and of course focus on the end user not the drug kingpins. Tooooooo many high level connections and way tooooooo much money from that direction. Legalise everything. Cut the head off the snake.

Edited February 21, 20242 yr by dinsdale

Given the prison system is overwhelmed with ~ 350,000, in a stated capacity of 200,000 - 80% of whom are on drugs/meth charges - there is no other option than diversion programs.

 

The question is, are those diversion programs up and running and financed for success?

 

Just kidding, this is Thailand.

 

They'll be sent to military facilities for a few weeks and released.

The Thai authorities love low hanging fruit. A user buys ten sells five, then the guy that buys five sells three the guy that buys three sells two.

Why bother with small players while letting the big ones go free. I guess pinching all these small players boosts the statistics while not catching the big players means they will have work forever.

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“I insist the law will be effective right after it’s issued.”

RTP: We'll see...

Yet Again the headline does not fit the story. "..For small drug dealers.." when it should read for small drug users. 

Cholnan Srikaew proposes new meth limit for small drug dealers............

 

I'm guess, as it's Thailand, you'd have to be looking at under 5'......?

7 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

 

This has GOT to be one of the WORST things an ignorant politician has ever said. I've known too many people with an honest desire to quit whatever drug they were into undergo treatment multiple times. Ever been to an AA meeting? I doubt there is one person at any meeting anywhere that hasn't backslid multiple times. Same with NA.

 

I'm not knocking the efforts to clean it up in LOS, but statements like this undermine their credibility.

 

reading this story i was a little taken back by how many ignorant statements he made.

 

 

Meanwhile they're lining up legislation to outlaw a daily spliff. 2 meth pills v 2 spliffs. Which causes more problems? The man's a fool.

The health minister is one of the Thaksin appointments that he is rumoured to be reviewing for replacement in a cabinet reshuffle. Given his slaughter of 2,000 alleged drug dealers he may feel Cholnan is being too soft on drugs.  Anyway Cholnan vowed to quit if PT formed a coalition with the uncle parties. So why is he still around?

how about an audit of all the billionaire generals around the border zones that were poor when they started their job 40 years earlier and got super wealthy on their government salary

24 minutes ago, Dogmatix said:

The health minister is one of the Thaksin appointments that he is rumoured to be reviewing for replacement in a cabinet reshuffle. Given his slaughter of 2,000 alleged drug dealers he may feel Cholnan is being too soft on drugs.  Anyway Cholnan vowed to quit if PT formed a coalition with the uncle parties. So why is he still around?

He quit the chair of Pork Pie as promised. He probably would have done that anyway to make way for Nepobabe Paetongtarn.

Criminalising a million people....the jails are over crowded already you silly man. First Anutin then this fool. Why can't Thailand pick a=n intelligent person to fill the role of Public Health Minister. Get a farang in the job.