12 Year Old Thai Boy's Shooting Blows Lid On Drug Network, Corrupt Police

[webfact]

CRIME

Boy's shooting blows lid on drug network, corrupt police

The recent roadrage shooting of a 12 year old boy on a highway has led not only to the extrajudicial killing of a suspected murderer but also a probe into the suspect's drugtrafficking network.

A week after the boy was fatally shot in Ayutthaya, suspected killer Charnchai Prasongsil or "Joke Phaikhiew" died during a gunfight with policemen who tried to arrest him.

Charnchai's brother and suspected murderer Noppol Prasongsil or "Jib Phaikhiew" was arrested early Tuesday.

A highlyplaced source yesterday revealed that investigators had already found the Prasongslips were linked to an alleged bigtime methamphetamine trafficker in Nonthaburi known as Dam Bang Bua Thong.

"Dam's network operates in the North and the western border province of Kanchanaburi," the source said.

According to this source, Dam's network will pass on drugs to dealers in the border areas of Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Angthong, and Suphan Buri.

The Prasongsil brothers were among the dealers in his network, the source added.

This source said these dealers usually delivered drugs to one spot and picked up money at another. "In some areas, school students are used for drug deliveries because the children will hardly arouse suspicions and even if they are arrested, they will face lighter punishment than adults," it said.

The source added that the ongoing probe showed corrupt policemen known as the "Singto Gang" had provided protection to this drugtrafficking network in exchange for bribes.

Ayutthaya police chief MajGeneral Anurak Taengkasem said investigators were working hard to nail down all culprits in the network.

Meanwhile, the chief of the Office of Attorney General's Special Litigation Division said Noppol would be facing murder and drugtrafficking charges.

"To support the drugtrafficking charges, the AntiMoney Laundering Office will take action to seize his and his network's illgotten gains," Thanapis Moolpreuk said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban praised Provincial Police Region 1 acting chief Pol General Asawin Kwanmuang for his efforts in cracking down on drugs.

Asawin led the operations against the Prasongsil brothers.

Suthep said Asawin's team had no choice but to shoot Charnchai when he opened fire on arresting officers.

"Police in other countries would do the same thing in such circumstances," Suthep said.

So far, the deputy prime minister has strongly insisted the government will not upgrade its drug offensive.

When the Thaksin Shinawatraled government launched its war on drugs, thousands of suspicious deaths took place.

-- The Nation 2010-12-17

[asiawatcher]

I just hope Thailand does not become another Mexico, AMerica or any other drug riddled country.

[slinky1876]

I just hope Thailand does not become another Mexico, AMerica or any other drug riddled country.

It's not Mexico or America yet, but it is drug riddled.

[junglist]

I just hope Thailand does not become another Mexico, AMerica or any other drug riddled country.

hahahah to late. i have seen more meth here then in the states and that is sad...

[ginjag]

I just hope Thailand does not become another Mexico, AMerica or any other drug riddled country.

hahahah to late. i have seen more meth here then in the states and that is sad...

Its rampant, city,s towns, corrupt police..involvement in drugs-AND gambling, MONEY GREED. Our local town,the same-businessowner here pays 20 k a month to the force, to operate a gambling den and its not the only one in the area....tip of the iceberg. Try as some police may, its a battle as majority are getting big money-through the drugs--gambling and road checks,,I just wonder how much money anually is collected by the force------most of which the treasury never sees. Bad situation--never ending

[asiawatcher]

Sad also the Police on are on the take - I guess nothing we didn't already know. Sad, really sad, but when there is no money in a society and selling or manufacturing drugs is an option what do the authorities expect?

[mark45y]

Sad also the Police on are on the take - I guess nothing we didn't already know. Sad, really sad, but when there is no money in a society and selling or manufacturing drugs is an option what do the authorities expect?

Cheer up it has actually gotten a lot better. Within the memories (1960's) of many forum members there were drug caravans marching down the main streets of Chiang Mai. The Thai Army and police forces fought openly over control of the narcotics business. There is even a statue of Khun Sa the father of Thailand's modern drug trade.

[animatic]

Sad also the Police on are on the take - I guess nothing we didn't already know. Sad, really sad, but when there is no money in a society and selling or manufacturing drugs is an option what do the authorities expect?

Cheer up it has actually gotten a lot better. Within the memories (1960's) of many forum members there were drug caravans marching down the main streets of Chiang Mai. The Thai Army and police forces fought openly over control of the narcotics business. There is even a statue of Khun Sa the father of Thailand's modern drug trade.

More than a ways to go, but this post certainly puts it in perspective.

And Thaksin's drug war too. Seeing as he was upper level police connected,

which networks were targeted?... no doubts; army ones and freelancers, not police protected ones.

Edited December 17, 2010 by animatic

[buba]

I just hope Thailand does not become another Mexico, AMerica or any other drug riddled country.

hahahah to late. i have seen more meth here then in the states and that is sad...

Its rampant, city,s towns, corrupt police..involvement in drugs-AND gambling, MONEY GREED. Our local town,the same-businessowner here pays 20 k a month to the force, to operate a gambling den and its not the only one in the area....tip of the iceberg. Try as some police may, its a battle as majority are getting big money-through the drugs--gambling and road checks,,I just wonder how much money anually is collected by the force------most of which the treasury never sees. Bad situation--never ending

How strange paying the police, its normaly the police running the gambling dens , chicken fighting etc. etc. etc.

[Thaddeus]

How strange paying the police, its normaly the police running the gambling dens , chicken fighting etc. etc. etc.

Actually, it takes much less effort to let others run a dozen or so illegal operations, and then just skim off the top from all of them.

[Cnxforever]

Sad also the Police on are on the take - I guess nothing we didn't already know. Sad, really sad, but when there is no money in a society and selling or manufacturing drugs is an option what do the authorities expect?

Cheer up it has actually gotten a lot better. Within the memories (1960's) of many forum members there were drug caravans marching down the main streets of Chiang Mai. The Thai Army and police forces fought openly over control of the narcotics business. There is even a statue of Khun Sa the father of Thailand's modern drug trade.

" Cheer up it has actually gotten a lot better." - a very careless statement!

You have no idea what is going on here - the drug trade is thriving - these greedy bastards destroying an entire generation with their poison! The streets are swamped with drugs supplying already children and teenagers destroying the future they might have had!

So next time you tell somebody to cheer up - I hope it is not your children out there who are prayed upon by these bastards trying to get them addicted so they can live a life in luxury!!

"The Thai Army and police forces fought openly over control of the narcotics business. There is even a statue of Khun Sa the father of Thailand's modern drug trade."

Who do you think controls thew drug trade today?? Do you think the army, police and other "influential" people would loose their most lucrative business beside illegal logging, gambling, sex trade......???

Why do you think there are hardly ever any high profile arrests of major players in the drug trade here? Yes- exactly because the people who are supposed to enforce the law in this country are on their payroll or major players themselves - to much money to be made - who gives a dam_n about the law!

"The source added that the ongoing probe showed corrupt policemen known as the "Singto Gang" had provided protection to this drugtrafficking network in exchange for bribes.

Ayutthaya police chief MajGeneral Anurak Taengkasem said investigators were working hard to nail down all culprits in the network."

What a stupid statment is this! Talking about an "ongoing" investigation to the press - sending them an advanced warning through the media?

[TAWP]

extrajudicial killing

A note on The Nations sub-par reporting...until a report has been concluded on the death of one of the dealers during a gun-fight with the police, it is incorrect to label it as anything close to an 'extrajudicial killing'.

[geriatrickid]

extrajudicial killing

A note on The Nations sub-par reporting...until a report has been concluded on the death of one of the dealers during a gun-fight with the police, it is incorrect to label it as anything close to an 'extrajudicial killing'.

An accidental firearm discharge perhaps? Maybe the microphone eater can do an autopsy and report back?

[Valentine]

What a stupid statment is this! Talking about an "ongoing" investigation to the press - sending them an advanced warning through the media?

They always telegraph well in advance their intentions giving the culprits plenty of time to cover their tracks. Even if some high profile figures are put in jail for life or even given the death penalty I suspect it will not stop the others as they will still consider themselves untouchable. The best way to stop it is to begin at the grassroots level within the local communities. It should be highlighted in schools & some of the soaps as they always garner a large audience.

[RickBradford]

An accidental firearm discharge perhaps? Maybe the microphone eater can do an autopsy and report back?

Wikipedia offers this: "Extrajudicial killings are the illegal killing of leading political, trade union, dissident, religious, and social figures by either the state government, state authorities like the armed forces and police."

We don't know if the killing was 'illegal' -- if the cops are telling the truth and the guy was shooting at them, then it's probably appropriate use of force. If not, who knows.

The phrase "deliberate killing" does not equate to "extrajudicial killing."

Edited December 17, 2010 by RickBradford

[elshaheen]

This we already know. Police mafia are The Untouchables in Thailand, even PM Abhisit Vejjajiva who is smart cannot even control his dogs.

[animatic]

Having seen the picture, in the other paper, of this guy in full body tattoo, showing off his pistol, a nasty expression of toughness on his face, and hearing that he drew down on a car simply because they didn't drive like he wished, and show him enough respect, so he fired a dozen rounds into it, not knowing who was inside, and then fired on police when they came for him. Is it a surprise that the police, once fired upon, made sure he would not continue to fire on them?

The portrait of this guy comes across as a classic sociopath, especially when coupled with his known actions, shooting at multiple cars because they pissed him off, as admitted to by his brother. Add to this his lack of scruples or consideration for anything but his own needs, and to yabaa use and the whole drug world, the police had every reason to think this guy would shoot at them until he could not do so again.

Not justifying an assignation if that is what happened, but this was NOT a good guy, and I can understand the police once being fired on making a quick end of the situation. One psychopath brought on his own bloody end.

[mark45y]

Sad also the Police on are on the take - I guess nothing we didn't already know. Sad, really sad, but when there is no money in a society and selling or manufacturing drugs is an option what do the authorities expect?

Cheer up it has actually gotten a lot better. Within the memories (1960's) of many forum members there were drug caravans marching down the main streets of Chiang Mai. The Thai Army and police forces fought openly over control of the narcotics business. There is even a statue of Khun Sa the father of Thailand's modern drug trade.

" Cheer up it has actually gotten a lot better." - a very careless statement!

You have no idea what is going on here - the drug trade is thriving - these greedy bastards destroying an entire generation with their poison! The streets are swamped with drugs supplying already children and teenagers destroying the future they might have had!

So next time you tell somebody to cheer up - I hope it is not your children out there who are prayed upon by these bastards trying to get them addicted so they can live a life in luxury!!

"The Thai Army and police forces fought openly over control of the narcotics business. There is even a statue of Khun Sa the father of Thailand's modern drug trade."

Who do you think controls thew drug trade today?? Do you think the army, police and other "influential" people would loose their most lucrative business beside illegal logging, gambling, sex trade......???

Why do you think there are hardly ever any high profile arrests of major players in the drug trade here? Yes- exactly because the people who are supposed to enforce the law in this country are on their payroll or major players themselves - to much money to be made - who gives a dam_n about the law!

"The source added that the ongoing probe showed corrupt policemen known as the "Singto Gang" had provided protection to this drugtrafficking network in exchange for bribes.

Ayutthaya police chief MajGeneral Anurak Taengkasem said investigators were working hard to nail down all culprits in the network."

What a stupid statment is this! Talking about an "ongoing" investigation to the press - sending them an advanced warning through the media?

Forgive my rather light hearted approach to the drug trade. It wasn't very long ago, and yes I was in Thailand way back then, when at least three private armies and the police and the Thai army all fought openly with guns to control the drug trade. You don't see that much anymore. You don't see Chiang Mai as the R&R area for opium armies anymore. You don't see Bangkok dotted with opium dens anymore.

You are correct about the drug trade still being a major source of wealth in Thailand. Much less than it used to be.

I don't know who controls the drug trade today and neither do you. Way back when I can tell you the army and police fought and the army won. Now, I really don't know and neither do you. All you know is some names of bit players who get arrested occasionally.

The war on drugs is never going to be won in Thailand. You are just upsetting yourself needlessly to rant about it. Nothing you say or do will make any difference. You can only comment and get your kids away to a safer environment outside of Thailand.

I left a good future 40 years ago in Thailand to raise my family in the West because I realized this is about the last place in the world a sane person would want to raise children.

Edited December 17, 2010 by mark45y

[jdinasia]

extrajudicial killing

A note on The Nations sub-par reporting...until a report has been concluded on the death of one of the dealers during a gun-fight with the police, it is incorrect to label it as anything close to an 'extrajudicial killing'.

An accidental firearm discharge perhaps? Maybe the microphone eater can do an autopsy and report back?

If there was (as reported) a gunfight, then the killing was probably NOT extra-judicial. TAWP is correct in this case. Until the reports are filed and a shooting forensics team checks it, it isn't extrajudicial. It could turn out to be an officer involved shooting in the line of duty (self defense or defense of civilians when fired upon) or it could be murder. The report that the police wanted those 2 "dead or alive" certainly smacks of Thaksin's war on drugs but until more is known all we can say is a person suspected in a drive by shooting and also thought to be a member of the illegal drug trade died.

[JimsKnight]

If I had kids I'd be keeping them as far from the US or Euroland as possible, those places are one big prison compound

[housepainter]

Focus upon the headline which I assert is correct.

It is the relatively public death of an innocent 12 year old boy that has literally exposed the Paikiew drugs area's involvement. This shocking death could not be covered up as the repercussions were not known. Contrast this with the extra-judiical kilings under Thaksin where a boy was shot dead by police.

That death was lied about as the Police knew they were responsible and had something to hide. Whereas, in this instance they were dealing with a reported drive by shooting. The investigative ball starts rolling with all the dignatory band-wagon jumping that goes with it, full TV exposure, press attention and suddenly it turns into the Paikiew cul-de-sac where the Police too late realise the implications.

But the public spotlight now holds it in its glare.

Paikiew being an area of unusual wealth that has arisen amongst almost shanty town squalor. The supplier of the wealth being the drug trade. Large houses, no jobs, flash cars, no businesses, unusual wealth and no explanation. However, the Police know it to be where their larger than usual tea monies have been coming from and the whole can of worms is over night exposed.

Paikiew had the reputation of being both a storage centre and trasportation hub for the drugs trade. Yet, it remained a no go area as far as law enforcement was concerned. The right minded bodies that do exist somewhere deep underground within Thai society may well have wished to move sooner against the Paikiew drug dealers but were unable to do so as the Police are riddled with corupt officers. Hence, any action taken would have been compromised through leaks by corrupt officers.

The problem then is where do you start? Worse still is that successive Thai Governments refuse to start. Deliberatley, constantly, unerringly refuse to tackle the Police, or the Army or any other corrupt mafia influence that has gained a toe hold.

Even worse than that, the longer doing nothing remains the mission statement, then the deeped entrenched becomes the corruption. Some cancers simply can not be operated upon. The body that is Thailand is reaching a terminal state.

Those of you who wrongly focus upon the killing of suspect Charnchai Prasongsil fail to see that the Police needed to silence him. That is what has happened. They not only silenced him from exposing a hard truth of Police involvement but they have silenced the judicial process that would have implicated a net work of corrupt Police.

This is a road we've been down before in Thailand where the tentacles of organised drug crime extend right from the Precinct's head quarters far up country to isolated check points. Once again there was an opportunity to bust what the Police themselves describe as an alleged big time methamphetamine trafficker in Nonthaburi known as Dam Bang Bua Thong.

There's a named suspect. But thinking that corrupt policemen known as the "Singto Gang" who had provided protection to this drug trafficking network in exchange for bribes, would not be named is naive. And the containment of this 'gang' would actually not be restricted to a few highway cowboy Police officers.

This is organised, station run corruption from top to bottom extending way up the drugs food chain and returning back into the area of Paikiew. Links with the bigger fish amongst the police were to be had there. The simple and straight forward murder of one Prasongsil brother was the first step to silencing that link.

What is needed is for the safe detention in custody of the other brother. No mysterious suicide bid. No hanging corpse found the next morning. He needs protecting in order to give evidence.

Equally, the community around the Paikiew area need re-assurring in order to establish a climate where they too can give evidence.

For only then when right and justice prevail can this criminal element be brought to book. Otherwise, they will simply re-group and re-turn with more of the same.

That, for far too long, has been the result in Thailand.

[Bagwan]

Not justifying an assignation if that is what happened, but this was NOT a good guy, and I can understand the police once being fired on making a quick end of the situation. One psychopath brought on his own bloody end.

For assignation read assassination.Assignation :-

1. The act of assigning. 2. Something assigned, especially an allotment. 3. An appointment for a meeting between lovers; a tryst.

Assassination:-

1. To kill suddenly or secretively, esp. a politically prominent person; murder premeditatedly and treacherously. 2. To destroy or harm treacherously and viciously: to assassinate a person's character.

Posted to assist those whose first language is not English in their understanding and not to embarrass Animatic for an unfortunate typo.

Edited December 17, 2010 by Bagwan

[Colabamumbai]

In the 70"s in was Heroin now it it speed, what has changed? I preferred the Heroin days, less killings from people hyped up on speed, more people on the nod.Then no one was bringing cheap Afghani heroin into Thailand and being arrested at the airport.

Edited December 17, 2010 by Colabamumbai

[jayjay0]

What a stupid statment is this! Talking about an "ongoing" investigation to the press - sending them an advanced warning through the media?

They always telegraph well in advance their intentions giving the culprits plenty of time to cover their tracks. Even if some high profile figures are put in jail for life or even given the death penalty I suspect it will not stop the others as they will still consider themselves untouchable. The best way to stop it is to begin at the grassroots level within the local communities. It should be highlighted in schools & some of the soaps as they always garner a large audience.

You have very good point there the soaps on TV along with the comedy shows reach a lot of people. Children cartoons also. They could carry a variety of messages. No Drugs. no corruption, no steeling and so forth. A good writer could put it in so that people would not realize on the conscience level that the program format was changing to a more wholesome way of life. Blend it in over a period of time.

It is by no means the whole answer but it could be a part of it. Can you imagine the state of the world if they had presented this programing 30 years ago. Just a idea butt I believe it has merit.:jap:

[animatic]

Not justifying an assignation if that is what happened, but this was NOT a good guy, and I can understand the police once being fired on making a quick end of the situation. One psychopath brought on his own bloody end.

For assignation read assassination.Assignation :-

1. The act of assigning. 2. Something assigned, especially an allotment. 3. An appointment for a meeting between lovers; a tryst.

Assassination:-

1. To kill suddenly or secretively, esp. a politically prominent person; murder premeditatedly and treacherously. 2. To destroy or harm treacherously and viciously: to assassinate a person's character.

Posted to assist those whose first language is not English in their understanding and not to embarrass Animatic for an unfortunate typo.

Yes, thanks, a dyslexic moment. Correction much appreciated.

I probably should have been more colloquial.

[jayjay0]

Focus upon the headline which I assert is correct.

It is the relatively public death of an innocent 12 year old boy that has literally exposed the Paikiew drugs area's involvement. This shocking death could not be covered up as the repercussions were not known. Contrast this with the extra-judiical kilings under Thaksin where a boy was shot dead by police.

That death was lied about as the Police knew they were responsible and had something to hide. Whereas, in this instance they were dealing with a reported drive by shooting. The investigative ball starts rolling with all the dignatory band-wagon jumping that goes with it, full TV exposure, press attention and suddenly it turns into the Paikiew cul-de-sac where the Police too late realise the implications.

But the public spotlight now holds it in its glare.

Paikiew being an area of unusual wealth that has arisen amongst almost shanty town squalor. The supplier of the wealth being the drug trade. Large houses, no jobs, flash cars, no businesses, unusual wealth and no explanation. However, the Police know it to be where their larger than usual tea monies have been coming from and the whole can of worms is over night exposed.

Paikiew had the reputation of being both a storage centre and trasportation hub for the drugs trade. Yet, it remained a no go area as far as law enforcement was concerned. The right minded bodies that do exist somewhere deep underground within Thai society may well have wished to move sooner against the Paikiew drug dealers but were unable to do so as the Police are riddled with corupt officers. Hence, any action taken would have been compromised through leaks by corrupt officers.

The problem then is where do you start? Worse still is that successive Thai Governments refuse to start. Deliberatley, constantly, unerringly refuse to tackle the Police, or the Army or any other corrupt mafia influence that has gained a toe hold.

Even worse than that, the longer doing nothing remains the mission statement, then the deeped entrenched becomes the corruption. Some cancers simply can not be operated upon. The body that is Thailand is reaching a terminal state.

Those of you who wrongly focus upon the killing of suspect Charnchai Prasongsil fail to see that the Police needed to silence him. That is what has happened. They not only silenced him from exposing a hard truth of Police involvement but they have silenced the judicial process that would have implicated a net work of corrupt Police.

This is a road we've been down before in Thailand where the tentacles of organised drug crime extend right from the Precinct's head quarters far up country to isolated check points. Once again there was an opportunity to bust what the Police themselves describe as an alleged big time methamphetamine trafficker in Nonthaburi known as Dam Bang Bua Thong.

There's a named suspect. But thinking that corrupt policemen known as the "Singto Gang" who had provided protection to this drug trafficking network in exchange for bribes, would not be named is naive. And the containment of this 'gang' would actually not be restricted to a few highway cowboy Police officers.

This is organised, station run corruption from top to bottom extending way up the drugs food chain and returning back into the area of Paikiew. Links with the bigger fish amongst the police were to be had there. The simple and straight forward murder of one Prasongsil brother was the first step to silencing that link.

What is needed is for the safe detention in custody of the other brother. No mysterious suicide bid. No hanging corpse found the next morning. He needs protecting in order to give evidence.

Equally, the community around the Paikiew area need re-assurring in order to establish a climate where they too can give evidence.

For only then when right and justice prevail can this criminal element be brought to book. Otherwise, they will simply re-group and re-turn with more of the same.

That, for far too long, has been the result in Thailand.

Are you sure you have based that whole monologue on the and this is your statement word for word

("It is the relatively public death of an innocent 12 year old boy ")

What if he was not innocent? Do we get a new monologue?

Do you picture yourself with a yellow cape and a big S on your shirt front.

[housepainter]

For the mis-guided who think TV can help, consider the current soap format: rich people have everything that is materialistc yet they are not happy. Characters fight, scream, cry, lie, deceive, perform acts of revenge, hate, loath, belittle and remain unhappy.

Clearly it isn't working as Thais remain poor.

Not matter how hard ordinary Thais fight, scream, cry, lie, deceive, perform acts of revenge, hate, loath, belittle or remain unhappy they never get any richer.

Also, for those of you who remain unconvinced consider the life of one UK TV soap actor: married 4 times; twice to the same woman; 14 adulterous affairs one with his boss; two murder charges; one arson charge; 7 street fights; 1 child; 1 illigimate child; one inherited fortune; rescued one family from burning building; dived in to river and saved drowning child; crashed car and killed lover; disarmed gun man holding wife hostage; drank beer repeatedly each night for 30 years and never put on weight or suffered illness; hard heart attack and survived it; had cancer and survived it; donated a kidney; gave blood; and ran a marathon.

Actually I know quite a few just like that; bursting into burning buildings, disarming deranged gun men, rescuing drowning women from Niagra Falls. Or they tell me they do from the bar stools of Pattaya.

Who knows then may be TV could change the world.

And I've wasted all these years simply reading books instead.

Silly me.

[Colabamumbai]

Focus upon the headline which I assert is correct.

It is the relatively public death of an innocent 12 year old boy that has literally exposed the Paikiew drugs area's involvement. This shocking death could not be covered up as the repercussions were not known. Contrast this with the extra-judiical kilings under Thaksin where a boy was shot dead by police.

That death was lied about as the Police knew they were responsible and had something to hide. Whereas, in this instance they were dealing with a reported drive by shooting. The investigative ball starts rolling with all the dignatory band-wagon jumping that goes with it, full TV exposure, press attention and suddenly it turns into the Paikiew cul-de-sac where the Police too late realise the implications.

But the public spotlight now holds it in its glare.

Paikiew being an area of unusual wealth that has arisen amongst almost shanty town squalor. The supplier of the wealth being the drug trade. Large houses, no jobs, flash cars, no businesses, unusual wealth and no explanation. However, the Police know it to be where their larger than usual tea monies have been coming from and the whole can of worms is over night exposed.

Paikiew had the reputation of being both a storage centre and trasportation hub for the drugs trade. Yet, it remained a no go area as far as law enforcement was concerned. The right minded bodies that do exist somewhere deep underground within Thai society may well have wished to move sooner against the Paikiew drug dealers but were unable to do so as the Police are riddled with corupt officers. Hence, any action taken would have been compromised through leaks by corrupt officers.

The problem then is where do you start? Worse still is that successive Thai Governments refuse to start. Deliberatley, constantly, unerringly refuse to tackle the Police, or the Army or any other corrupt mafia influence that has gained a toe hold.

Even worse than that, the longer doing nothing remains the mission statement, then the deeped entrenched becomes the corruption. Some cancers simply can not be operated upon. The body that is Thailand is reaching a terminal state.

Those of you who wrongly focus upon the killing of suspect Charnchai Prasongsil fail to see that the Police needed to silence him. That is what has happened. They not only silenced him from exposing a hard truth of Police involvement but they have silenced the judicial process that would have implicated a net work of corrupt Police.

This is a road we've been down before in Thailand where the tentacles of organised drug crime extend right from the Precinct's head quarters far up country to isolated check points. Once again there was an opportunity to bust what the Police themselves describe as an alleged big time methamphetamine trafficker in Nonthaburi known as Dam Bang Bua Thong.

There's a named suspect. But thinking that corrupt policemen known as the "Singto Gang" who had provided protection to this drug trafficking network in exchange for bribes, would not be named is naive. And the containment of this 'gang' would actually not be restricted to a few highway cowboy Police officers.

This is organised, station run corruption from top to bottom extending way up the drugs food chain and returning back into the area of Paikiew. Links with the bigger fish amongst the police were to be had there. The simple and straight forward murder of one Prasongsil brother was the first step to silencing that link.

What is needed is for the safe detention in custody of the other brother. No mysterious suicide bid. No hanging corpse found the next morning. He needs protecting in order to give evidence.

Equally, the community around the Paikiew area need re-assurring in order to establish a climate where they too can give evidence.

For only then when right and justice prevail can this criminal element be brought to book. Otherwise, they will simply re-group and re-turn with more of the same.

That, for far too long, has been the result in Thailand.

Watching the news tonight I cannot help but wonder are we going to see a repeat of the mass murders of suspected or known drug dealers that we saw when Thaskin was in power? Will TVF become the new Wikileaks of Thailand? I think that the time is ripe.

[Johpa]

Cheer up it has actually gotten a lot better. Within the memories (1960's) of many forum members there were drug caravans marching down the main streets of Chiang Mai. The Thai Army and police forces fought openly over control of the narcotics business. There is even a statue of Khun Sa the father of Thailand's modern drug trade.

Nothing has improved, and the upper police ranks are still heavily involved in the domestic drug trade.

First, I personally only know of two westerners who have been in Chiang Mai continuously since the 1960s, both retired missionaries, neither of whom I believe visits these forums. The local involvement in the drug trade did not begin in earnest until the early 1970s. Best to read Alfred McCoy's seminal book, The Politics of Heroin, for a more precise time line. I have yet to see a picture showing a drug laden mule caravan marching down the main streets of Chiang Mai city. Khun Sa controlled the cross border trafficking, but it was influential Thais who both then and now control the domestic sales of drugs. I would imagine that key Thai bankers, in partnership with high ranking politicians, who would be the real "fathers" of the domestic drug trade and not Khun Sa who spent his life in remote mountaintop retreats where he lived the good life only relative to his neighboring Shan villagers.

[nikster]

extrajudicial killing

A note on The Nations sub-par reporting...until a report has been concluded on the death of one of the dealers during a gun-fight with the police, it is incorrect to label it as anything close to an 'extrajudicial killing'.

An accidental firearm discharge perhaps? Maybe the microphone eater can do an autopsy and report back?

Well - who knows. Calling it extrajudicial killing is certainly wrong as there should at least be strong evidence for that. On the other hand police hardly had a choice killing the guy considering he was previously paying them. Which again makes it more likely for him to open fire on Police. Given that he opened fire on a car, and not for the first time, that's not all that unlikely either. Hmm.. all things considered, the Police are probably not too concerned with him snitching on the corrupt officers of the force - everyone knows that already anyway, it's not like it's a big secret. That is, they don't rely on secrecy to get away with it - they rely on money and power; paying those above them, kicking those below them.