Task Force 315 Not Linked To Politics: Thai Army Spokesman

[webfact]

Task Force 315 not linked to politics: Army spokesman

By The Nation

Army Spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd Monday called on politicians to stop attacking the Army over the Task Force 315, saying the unit has nothing to do with politics.

Sansern said the task force was formed to fight against drug trafficking and has been in operation since April 26.

The spokesman said political parties should not use the Task force 315 as a campaign agenda in a way that the Army was damaged.

Last week, Pheu Thai candidate Vicharn Minchainant alleged that the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) formed the task force to sway votes under the pretext of suppressing illicit drugs.

On his party's behalf, Vicharn submitted two petitions - one to Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha and another to the Election Commission - calling for the dissolution of the Task Force 315.

The task force has dispatched soldiers to monitor the red shirts and their campaign activities in key Bangkok constituencies such as Min Buri, Nong Chok, Khan Na Yaw and Lat Phrao, he alleged.

But Sansern said the task force was set up following a meeting of the Narcotics Control Board. The meeting was chaired b Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

He said the Number 3 came from the fact that the task force is comprised of officials from the Office of Narcotics Control Board, the Royal Thai Police and the Army.

Number 1 represents Bangkok and the number 5 represents five provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Nayok and Samut Prakan.

Sansern said the Task Force 315 has been operating under the guidance of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and is headed by Pol Lt Gen Worapong Chiewpreecha, assistant police commissioer-general.

The task force has 115 teams in Bangkok and 38 teams in the five provinces. Each team has six officials from the three agencies.

Sansern said the task force's goal is to prevent drug trafficking and tackle problems related to drug abuses.

"Troops in the task force have been working transparently so it is impossible for them to speak about politics," Sansern said.

"Politicians should not be worried about this and should stop attacking the Army over the task force.

-- The Nation 2011-05-30

[samurai]

AS if the army was never involved in politics.

[JAG]

Of course they're not. Perish the thought! :cheesy: :cheesy:

Edited May 30, 2011 by JAG

[OZEMADE]

Of course they're not. Perish the thought! :cheesy: :cheesy:

But if we dont get our Subs, Planes and APC's all bets are off.

[RickBradford]

I was in Min Buri and Nong Chok yesterday and these are perhaps easily influenced areas -- this is a heavily Muslim area after the people of that faith were expelled from Bangkok proper 150 years ago.

It's semi-rural (Nong Chok, certainly) and I can easily believe that effective pressure could be brought to bear by interested parties. Perhaps the point is that although these areas are nominally in BKK, the way of life is essentially provincial, where political warlordism is the system.

Perhaps PT is trying to sow doubts before a defeat -- all in all, Third World politics as usual...

[JAG]

But if we dont get our Subs, Planes and APC's all bets are off.

I am sure you're right my friend, mind you the subs are scrap, the APCs only good for showing muscle at key points in Bangkok after a coup, and the planes are way over the top for what they need.Can't imagine why they want them.

[webfact]

Military confirms transparency of drugs suppression plan

BANGKOK, 31 May 2011 (NNT) – The military has confirmed transparency of the 3-1-5 narcotic drug suppression operation in Bangkok and its vicinities, stressing that there is no hidden political agenda as alleged.

Speaking about the narcotic drug suppression mission, Army Spokesperson Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd explained that the 3-1-5 strategy is aimed at preventing narcotic drug spread, reducing its ill impact on communities and solving related issues. The authorities taking part in the mission comprise the police, military, civilians and officials of the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Earlier, Bangkok Election Centre Director of the Pheu Thai Party Vicharn Minchainant called for the strategy’s cancellation, claiming that its real purpose was to track movements of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship for the benefit of the government in this election.

Colonel Sansern urged all political parties launching their campaigns for the upcoming general-election to rest assured in the transparency of the operation. He then asked all sides not to drag the military and the armed forces into politics.

The 3-1-5 narcotic drug suppression mission has been implemented since 26 April in accordance with the government’s policy to address the narcotic problem in the kingdom. The mission is scheduled to complete in September while the ONCB is likely to declare a result of the operation soon, the Colonel said.

-- NNT 2011-05-31

[MrChangers]

Try as hard as I can I just cannot see how the army is going to stop drug dealing especially when they are in uniform on the street corner. Can't be a pre-election "flex" can it???

[tomross46]

If you were a drug runner would you want the police and the Army after you?

[AleG]

What, precisely, are the allegations of the UDD regarding this task force?

[webfact]

PM: Drug suppression plan efficient

BANGKOK, 1 June 2011 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has confirmed the efficiency of the notorious 3-1-5 narcotic drug suppression plan, stressing that the mission has no hidden political agenda as widely criticised.

Prime Minister Abhisit narrated that the drug suppression mission is going on well, resulting in many arrests and legal actions against culprits. He confirmed that the operation of authorities involved has nothing to do with the national politics or election.

The authorities taking part in the mission comprise the police, military, civilians and officials of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). The operation will last until September this year under the supervision of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).

Earlier, Bangkok Election Centre Director of the Pheu Thai Party Vicharn Minchainant called for the strategy’s cancellation, claiming that its real purpose was to track movements of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship for the benefit of the government in this election.

The prime minister then dismissed the allegation that the authorities are intimidating election canvassers of other political parties. He explained that the ONCB, as head of the mission, has so far reported no problems in the operation while military officers are only assisting the task.

Prime Minister Abhisit added that this policy was initiated before the house dissolution as he used to discuss it with his deputy for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban, the ONCB, the police and the military following complaints made by people on narcotic drug spread.

-- NNT 2011-06-01