Thaksin Announces New Anti-Drug Task Force Led by PM Paetongtarn

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Sanook

 

In a significant move to combat Thailand's continuing drug challenges, a new task force is being established under the leadership of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

 

This was announced by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during a Pheu Thai Party meeting, which took place on a journey to Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan. The seminar aimed to bolster the party's strategies and enhance leadership effectiveness.

 

Thaksin, whose previous tenure was marked by assertive drug policies, shared that his daughter, Ms Paetongtarn, would spearhead the task force, underscoring the Shinawatra family's enduring political presence.

 

Speaking at the seminar, he addressed essential issues, noting that some of his past initiatives, such as affordable housing, remain crucial.

 

This task force comes in response to escalating concerns over drug-related issues, which Thaksin remarked are more severe now than during his premiership. Reflecting on past measures, he recalled his administration's vigorous anti-drug campaigns, suggesting a warning to current drug dealers about renewed governmental pressures.

The collaborative effort will include Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who will work alongside police and provincial entities to intensify drug suppression. Thaksin implied that failure to meet objectives could lead to the reassignment of officials, highlighting the gravity of their mission.

 

During the early 2000s, Thaksin's government took a hard-line approach from February 1, 2003, with extensive drug crackdowns resulting in over 43,000 arrests.

 

This period also drew criticism for human rights concerns; notably, around 2,500 people were reportedly killed across these campaigns, with many deaths suspected to involve government forces.

 

Provinces like Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen saw substantial success in limiting drug activities, driven by coordinated efforts between government and local levels.

 

Despite widespread criticism from human rights advocates over the high number of deaths attributed to state actions, Thaksin stands firm on the necessity of robust enforcement to achieve public safety and order.

 

As this renewed anti-drug initiative under the Pheu Thai leadership gains momentum, it remains to be seen how the policies will be executed and whether they will balance efficacy with respect for human rights, given the dynamic socio-political environment in Thailand, reported Bangkok Post. 

 

-- 2024-12-14

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

You're gonna need more prisons boss.

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, Tropicalevo said:

You're gonna need more prisons boss.

 

 

 

.... and bullets -  if the last war on drugs is anything to go by.

[Bagwain]

I thought he had a court order to stay out of politics?

 

[hotandsticky]

9 minutes ago, Bagwain said:

I thought he had a court order to stay out of politics?

 

 

 

Since when has Thaksin and "the law" been in harmony?

 

 

He makes his own rules.

[watchcat]

55 minutes ago, webfact said:

Reflecting on past measures, he recalled his administration's vigorous anti-drug campaigns, suggesting a warning to current drug dealers about renewed governmental pressures.

 

So, you wan't a new war on drugs that'll get thousands of innocent people getting killed by trigger happy RTP's and army?  Gawd, I dislake you and your family

 

You can't stop the drugs unless you remove the corrupt RTP and the army, who take care of the billions of baht that the drugtrade is generating. Take care of your grand children instead before you're dead.

[watchcat]

27 minutes ago, Bagwain said:

I thought he had a court order to stay out of politics?

 

 

He has.

[mokwit]

56 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thaksin implied that failure to meet objectives could lead to the reassignment of officials, highlighting the gravity of their mission.

...and he'll be taking time off from "just playing with his grandchildren" to do it.

 

Economy must be really bad if they need the drugs war deflection a favourite of Governments worldwide for decades.

[NanLaew]

31 minutes ago, Bagwain said:

I thought he had a court order to stay out of politics?

 

 

There's no "court order". He has stated that he isn't involved and everyone, including the opposition, are rolling with it.

[redwood1]

How Tony can even have the nerve to be apart of this after the 100s of criminal  judicial killings he ordered when he was PM is incomprehensible.....He should have spent time in jail over what happened...

 

Just look at that big stupid grin in the photo......... Folks he is laughing because he knows he above the law.....

[BarBoy]

I wish these bleedin' shins would give it a rest with all this populist crap.

 

same old record that's been playing for years.

 

not a single thai I know gives a flying frig about the so called 'drug problem'. It just doesn't affect them.

[Tropicalevo]

55 minutes ago, watchcat said:

So, you wan't a new war on drugs that'll get thousands of innocent people getting killed by trigger happy RTP's and army? 

 

Thousands of innocent people? A tad exaggerated methinks.

 

24 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

How Tony can even have the nerve to be apart of this after the 100s of criminal  judicial killings he ordered when he was PM

 

A more realistic number.

 

24 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Folks he is laughing because he knows he above the law.

 

Like Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya and most other rich folk and politicians.

Politicians are only subjected to the laws when their political opponents want them out of the way.

At the moment, Thaksin is flavour of the month.

[watchcat]

7 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Thousands of innocent people? A tad exaggerated methinks.

 It's not exagerated!  3000 + something

[Guderian]

Here we go again, with Thaksin's extra-judicial mass-murderers let loose...

 

 

[Taboo2]

Just can't get enough killing people who need medical attention.

[damian]

59 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 It's not exagerated!  3000 + something

 

I think Tropicalevo is referring to your 'all innocent' claim. While it's debatable, under the law they were all deemed innocent until proven guilty.

 

Thaksin's henchmen never game them that opportunity.

[anchadian]

Furthermore

Ex-convict-cum-former-premier Thaksin Shinawatra said on Friday, he is waiting to negotiate with "God" to live 17 more years. Thaksin is 75 at present. He made the remark while addressing ruling Pheu Thai MPs at a seminar in Hua Hin.

 

On politics, Thaksin said any coalition party not happy should feel free leave the government's coalition, which is led by his daughter, PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

 

https://x.com/KhaosodEnglish/status/1867755502555611566

 

[Kiwiken]

They would be better to study Portugals model. For Drug enforcement. All Governments waste Billions on chasing Addicts when all the enforcement should be on controlling supply and reducing addiction

[mikeymike100]

2 hours ago, Bagwain said:

I thought he had a court order to stay out of politics?

 

Yes, have you noticed he tends to ignore those?

[LukKrueng]

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

You're gonna need more prisons boss.

na, last time he did it they used no court time nor prison cells. 

[Jonathan Swift]

2 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

So, you wan't a new war on drugs that'll get thousands of innocent people getting killed by trigger happy RTP's and army?  Gawd, I dislake you and your family

 

You can't stop the drugs unless you remove the corrupt RTP and the army, who take care of the billions of baht that the drugtrade is generating. Take care of your grand children instead before you're dead.

You can't stop the drugs, never could, never will. Name one country that has? First there is always a demand largely due to untreated addicts who can'r stop. Second because there are fortunes to be made making and selling it and no amount of attempts at law enforcement can stop any significant percent of it. If it were possible it would have been done by now. BTW you're not Thai, so why does what the Thai people, politicians, police, and government have to do with you anyway? How do they affect you directly? 

[Briggsy]

Roll out the Border Police again to eliminate anybody who is deemed to be involved in drugs. No accountability, no justice. Just extrajudicial executions decided by those who currently hold power.