Picture courtesy of Ministry of Interior

 

Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has declared the fight against illicit drugs a top national priority, pushing for collaboration across all sectors to battle the crisis.

 

On Wednesday, during a visit to Wing 41 in Chiang Mai, Mr Phumtham, also a deputy prime minister and interior minister, announced the campaign, “No Drugs, No Dealers: Toward Zero Drugs Thailand.” Heading next to Provincial Police Region 5, he briefed the media on a major drug bust, highlighting the magnitude of the problem.

 

In just ten months, from 1st October 2024 to 18th August this year, authorities reported seizing an astounding 222 million methamphetamine pills, 11,462 kilogrammes of crystal meth, 1,842 kg of ketamine, nearly 200 kg of heroin, and 155 kg of opium. This led to over 22,467 drug-related cases with the arrest of more than 20,000 suspects. Police also executed 984 arrest warrants and pursued various links to conspiracy and money laundering.

 

Pol Maj Gen Thanarat Chumsawat, the deputy commander of Police Region 5, pointed out a significant bottleneck in tackling drug crimes. In cases involving over one million meth pills, evidence must be dispatched to Bangkok's Office of the Narcotics Control Board, leading to lengthy processing times that could hinder court cases.

 

Mr Phumtham pressed on, stating that illicit drugs are a grave national menace, disrupting families and unsettling communities. He outlined a strategy to treat drug suppression as a central national agenda and demanded a united front from state agencies, including the Interior Ministry, Defence Ministry, and police. “This cannot be managed by any single agency. Collaboration is key,” he insisted.

 

He announced the adoption of modern technology, such as five newly approved mobile X-ray detection vehicles, set in motion during the tenure of former prime minister Srettha Thavisin. More of these units are anticipated to bolster the battlefront, reported the Bangkok Post.

 

Focused on fortifying prevention and monitoring, Mr Phumtham expressed a particular interest in curbing illicit activities at entertainment venues and among influential figures. He pledged to mobilise provincial governors, district chiefs, and local volunteers to enhance community-level vigilance.

 

Rehabilitation also stood as a pillar in his strategy, with an appeal for robust collaboration with the Public Health Ministry to facilitate appropriate treatment for drug users. Nationwide, 16,800 traffickers have been apprehended, 4,000 remain at large, and over 140,000 individuals have undertaken rehabilitation programs.

 

In concluding his firm address, Mr. Phumtham emphasised, "While statistics are a measure, public confidence is the ultimate success barometer." If citizens start feeling the decline in drug activities and safer communities, our mission is a success.”

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-21

 

I can smell thaksin's fingers in this. Let the killings resume. 

1 minute ago, gargamon said:

Let the killings resume. 

 

shoot first ask questions later.

Who cares if potheads get caught in the crossfire... thaksin is bak in all his might

 

but oh... let gambling thrive

3 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

thaksin is bak in all his might

 

I see what you did there. Very clever. 

 

I've seen this movie before.

Seems they have the urge to purge 

Strange to choose this moment to start this ?

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has declared the fight against illicit drugs a top national priority,

 

Even if you lived 200 years, you'll still be fighting against drugs, most countries on the planet have tried it and failed.

 

What makes you think Thailand could do this, they can't even make them to use a helmet whilst driving a scooter! Admit it, Thailand is a failed country.

To fight this you need a competent force, that is not involved and not corrupt... So empty words as it is impossible to implement as there is a lack of a decent institution

We've heard all this before, to start with they don't have a enough police to form a good drug squad, the drug dealers and drug gangs are far more organised than the police, most of the police are just raw recruits who would be frightened to death of the drug gangs, and they have better weapons, 

It’ll start out all gung-ho but there’s too much apathy and not enough education to effect real long term change. Trounce crystal meth and other nasties for sure, just leave the au-naturale mushrooms be which should be legalised. 

Again, another similar report which is repeated every few weeks.

 

Repetitive.

Oops

 

If they win the war on drugs, they could award themselves a few more medals.

 

 

Surprising with the money/quantities of drugs they don't have things as bad like South American cartels being felt across all cities....territory lines/clear gang names/public executions/no-go areas.

 

Weird. Maybe its a decade pre that or just a cultural difference.

Funny after they legalized weed, the worst drug of them all. Cant figure out what they want can they

2 minutes ago, angryguy said:

Funny after they legalized weed, the worst drug of them all. Cant figure out what they want can they

The worst drug of all - hardly.

 

Try meth or smack as worst.

1 minute ago, freedomnow said:

The worst drug of all - hardly.

 

Try meth or smack as worst.

It usually starts with weed though

Just now, angryguy said:

It usually starts with weed though

What ? Over-eating ?

Just now, freedomnow said:

What ? Over-eating ?

The first high. They call it the gateway drug for that reason. Seen as harmless, thats why its the most dangerous

If it's Wednesday, it's time to announce another "Drug Crackdown".

 

 

The country is awash in cheap (as low as 1 baht per pill) Meth, and no crackdown programs have worked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope that this includes all Thai government officials, "influential" Thai families and politicians, as well as big business families involved in the illegal drug trade.

 

But, alas, it will not..

They need a distracting headline, this is a proven and easy "go to" for any government when it comes to spin.

3 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

Seems they have the urge to purge 

Strange to choose this moment to start this ?

Purge what... the mules.

The drugs are recycled...

there's been 2 successful yaba interceptions in our area in the last 10 days. First interception at Mon Pin was 40 million pills and in the ensuing exchange of gun fire between army/border patrol and drug smugglers 1 drug smuggler killed. The 2nd interception near Chia Prakan was 20 million yaba pills and in that ensuing exchange of gunfire between the army/border patrol and drug smugglers 21 drug smugglers were killed. Both interceptions were in areas where the smugglers were crossing from Myanmar into Thailand  on foot through the jungle on the mountains.  Job well done army & border patrol. 

4 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

shoot first ask questions later.

Who cares if potheads    pill pushers get caught in the crossfire... thaksin is bak in all his might

 

but oh... let gambling thrive

fixed it !

5 hours ago, gargamon said:

I can smell thaksin's fingers in this. Let the killings resume. 

...he has yet to account for the deaths of many innocent people during his last purge. Despicable.

 Acting Thai PM Declares All-Out War on Drug Gangs Nationwide.

 

Don't like  his chances ,unless he start Shooting All the Druggies /Dealers and Cops that are in that Trade.

Would be Nice but ain't gonna happen . 

Drugs will Never be stopped , Many tried and many Died. 

There always be people making the drugs and using /selling them.

...Sounds Like A Certain Someone's 'Playbook' They Are Following (?)...

5 hours ago, angryguy said:

The first high. They call it the gateway drug for that reason

No they call it the gateway drug due to misinformation and ignorance

Sir, you don't have enough army soldiers in Thailand to control the drug trade; this trade is way bigger than

any army of police to control simply because some of the highest government, army and police are in

it necks deep. 

Wait, did you just say...rehabilitation?!? The pols could sure use it!