Chalerm pledges to eradicate drugs within one year

BANGKOK, Jan 28 -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrung said illicit drug suppression was one of the government policies announced during the election campaign, and he was confident that involved authorities would be able to make considerable advances in the “War on Drugs” within one year.

Pol Capt Chalerm filled in for the prime minister on her TV programme "Yingluck Government meets the People" with National Police Chief Pol Gen Prewpan Dhamapong and Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Secretary General Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkeo, as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

Mr Chalerm, in his capacity as Director of the National Command Center for Drugs (NCCD) said the drug problem was on the national agenda and he intended to root it out in Thailand.

He stated efforts must start from blocking the entry of narcotics from neighboring countries, combined with strict law enforcement and rapid crackdowns on local drug rings.

The number of drug users would be reduced and they would be taken for treatment, he said.

The government would ask for cooperation from neighbouring countries to prevent the smuggling of illicit drugs, said the deputy prime minister.

Meanwhile, entertainment venues would be asked to help authorities to eliminate drugs in their places, he said, adding that with these measures illicit drugs could be significantly reduced within one year.

As for the drug trade in the prisons, Mr Chalerm said that measures would be sought to solve the problems.

He planned to set up a special prison for groups of inmates involved with drugs with special prison staff who were well prepared to deal with these issues. The first could be a prison in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhio district. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-28

Why isn't this man 'World President'. It seems there is nothing he cannot do (in his own mind).

How many will be murdered this time? 6? 7000?

Thaksin eradicated drugs from Thailand in just three months.

It had to come, "The War on Drugs" is declared, someone is reading the script. With the puppet out of the country, it is declared!

Now just make your lists of enemies drug dealers and pass it on to you local policeman for him to action.

How long have drugs in one form or another been with us?

Can Chalerm, will Chalerm ever come to see reality or are his comments making him a legend in his own mind ?

Again, an article that contradicts its title.

Title : " ...eradicate drugs within one year"

Article : " ... able to make considerable advances in the “War on Drugs” within one year."

Someone has a very low opinion about the IQ of his readers....

Number of speed pill dealers declines; ice abuse rises

BANGKOK, 28 January 2012 (NNT) – The government has reported a major progress of its hunt for Methamphetamine dealers and admitted crystal meth abuse is now becoming rampant.

In the Saturday talk show under the Yingluck Government Meets the People program, Deputy Police Chief Adul Sangsingkaew disclosed that the performance of anti-drug police was quite satisfactory. Over the past three months, about 15 million speed pills had been seized. Caches of heroin and crystal meth known as ice have also been found and confiscated.

While more speed pill dealers have been captured, the Deputy Police Chief admitted that the spread of ice abuse had become a new challenge for authorities. He also stressed that public participation would be promoted due to its important role in the anti-drug campaign. Community leaders at drug-prone areas have been urged to keep a close watch on any irregularities. The 1386 hotline has been set up to enable the public to inform officials of suspicious activities.

The number of drug addicts is estimated at 1.2 million. Sixty percent of them are in the capital. The number of drug users taking rehabilitation throughout the country is estimated at 54,000 which is still far below the government’s target of 400,000.

-- NNT 2012-01-28

Exactly. How many will be murdered in cold blood during Chalerm's 'war on drugs'? Thaksin managed to kill innocent bystanders, drug users near drop in centres (users on programmes, not dealers) and off course the odd political opponent. Very useful don't you think? Now the reds and their ilk make more noise about the deaths of 91 folk in Bangkok, than the 1500 or so murdered under the Thaksin disctatorship. Quite frankly the whole thing scares me and those working on drug rehab programmes are equally as frightened. When will Thai politicians learn to do things intelligently?

So you think that the government should do NOTHING and just let drug criminals run free killing your children? Why is it that when the Thai government makes a stand and tries to clean Thailand up in any way the TV members start all these posts that seem to be "anti, anti drug war?'

Seems to me that the government should just hand over ALL of their issues to members on Thaivisa and you can all figure it out for them?

I say all the power to these brave police etc. and wish them the best of luck and hope that no one gets hurt.

Sure you can go on and on and on about what Thaksin did but get a grip people, that was the past, this is the present. It's a good thing that Thai's don't listen to anything said here on these forums.

So you think that the government should do NOTHING and just let drug criminals run free killing your children? Why is it that when the Thai government makes a stand and tries to clean Thailand up in any way the TV members start all these posts that seem to be "anti, anti drug war?'

Seems to me that the government should just hand over ALL of their issues to members on Thaivisa and you can all figure it out for them?

I say all the power to these brave police etc. and wish them the best of luck and hope that no one gets hurt.

Sure you can go on and on and on about what Thaksin did but get a grip people, that was the past, this is the present. It's a good thing that Thai's don't listen to anything said here on these forums.

Because the track record of this government has been nothing but bullshit and lies.

Eliminate drugs? Good luck with that! Seriously, you really think this incompetant government can eradicate drugs within a year? They can't even select a cabinet without falling over one another and making themselves a joke!

And let's not forget the last they went to war with drugs. Thousands murdered. And most of them weren't even in the drug trade or were minor players. Thousands dead and for what? Well we still have a drug problem here don't we?

This clown gets funnier by the day. He sure likes himself and thinks he hung the moon.

So you think that the government should do NOTHING and just let drug criminals run free killing your children? Why is it that when the Thai government makes a stand and tries to clean Thailand up in any way the TV members start all these posts that seem to be "anti, anti drug war?'

Seems to me that the government should just hand over ALL of their issues to members on Thaivisa and you can all figure it out for them?

I say all the power to these brave police etc. and wish them the best of luck and hope that no one gets hurt.

Sure you can go on and on and on about what Thaksin did but get a grip people, that was the past, this is the present. It's a good thing that Thai's don't listen to anything said here on these forums.

Because the track record of this government has been nothing but bullshit and lies.

Eliminate drugs? Good luck with that! Seriously, you really think this incompetant government can eradicate drugs within a year? They can't even select a cabinet without falling over one another and making themselves a joke!

And let's not forget the last they went to war with drugs. Thousands murdered. And most of them weren't even in the drug trade or were minor players. Thousands dead and for what? Well we still have a drug problem here don't we?

There is nothing wrong with any government saying it wants to stop the use of drugs. The only problem is it will have about as much effect as Prohibition did in America and probably the same consequences.

Exactly. How many will be murdered in cold blood during Chalerm's 'war on drugs'? Thaksin managed to kill innocent bystanders, drug users near drop in centres (users on programmes, not dealers) and off course the odd political opponent. Very useful don't you think? Now the reds and their ilk make more noise about the deaths of 91 folk in Bangkok, than the 1500 or so murdered under the Thaksin disctatorship. Quite frankly the whole thing scares me and those working on drug rehab programmes are equally as frightened. When will Thai politicians learn to do things intelligently?

"Thai politicians learn to do things intelligently?" had a good laugh here... Thanks!!!

So you think that the government should do NOTHING and just let drug criminals run free killing your children? Why is it that when the Thai government makes a stand and tries to clean Thailand up in any way the TV members start all these posts that seem to be "anti, anti drug war?'

Not exactly right but the way they deal with it is wrong......

Seems to me that the government should just hand over ALL of their issues to members on Thaivisa and you can all figure it out for them?

If only... LOL

I say all the power to these brave police etc. and wish them the best of luck and hope that no one gets hurt.topeoplep

Ho Ho Ho..... How brave to stop peolple not wearing helmet......

Sure you can go on and on and on about what Thaksin did but get a grip people, that was the past, this is the present. It's a good thing that Thai's don't listen to anything said here on these forums.

Indeed, if they did listen or learn anything... we would not have a clone in charge.......

So you think that the government should do NOTHING and just let drug criminals run free killing your children? Why is it that when the Thai government makes a stand and tries to clean Thailand up in any way the TV members start all these posts that seem to be "anti, anti drug war?'

Seems to me that the government should just hand over ALL of their issues to members on Thaivisa and you can all figure it out for them?

I say all the power to these brave police etc. and wish them the best of luck and hope that no one gets hurt.

Sure you can go on and on and on about what Thaksin did but get a grip people, that was the past, this is the present. It's a good thing that Thai's don't listen to anything said here on these forums.

Because the track record of this government has been nothing but bullshit and lies.

Eliminate drugs? Good luck with that! Seriously, you really think this incompetant government can eradicate drugs within a year? They can't even select a cabinet without falling over one another and making themselves a joke!

And let's not forget the last they went to war with drugs. Thousands murdered. And most of them weren't even in the drug trade or were minor players. Thousands dead and for what? Well we still have a drug problem here don't we?

There is nothing wrong with any government saying it wants to stop the use of drugs. The only problem is it will have about as much effect as Prohibition did in America and probably the same consequences.

They can say what they want but seeing how the last time they decided to stop drugs went, I'd prefer they didn't.

Again, an article that contradicts its title.

Title : " ...eradicate drugs within one year"

Article : " ... able to make considerable advances in the “War on Drugs” within one year."

Someone has a very low opinion about the IQ of his readers....

........and someone else has a very low (and more accurate) opinion of his supporters. But he likes it like that.

Again, an article that contradicts its title.

Title : " ...eradicate drugs within one year"

Article : " ... able to make considerable advances in the “War on Drugs” within one year."

Someone has a very low opinion about the IQ of his readers....

But news people want titles that grab our attention...get us to read the article....titles that are many times misleading, a play on words, etc., like this article. Unfortunately, I also see it all the time in western news papers. Preaching to the choir I know.

So you think that the government should do NOTHING and just let drug criminals run free killing your children? Why is it that when the Thai government makes a stand and tries to clean Thailand up in any way the TV members start all these posts that seem to be "anti, anti drug war?'

Seems to me that the government should just hand over ALL of their issues to members on Thaivisa and you can all figure it out for them?

I say all the power to these brave police etc. and wish them the best of luck and hope that no one gets hurt.

Sure you can go on and on and on about what Thaksin did but get a grip people, that was the past, this is the present. It's a good thing that Thai's don't listen to anything said here on these forums.

1. How man people die on use of illegal drugs?
   
2. How many die in the war on drugs?
   
3. Think! What is worse? The drugs or the war on it?
   

Maybe Chalerm would be taken more seriously if he started tackling the problem of heavy police involvement in the drug retail business. Everybody knows that they only catch dealers by accident or when they don't pay their tea money. There are for example cases on Koh Phanghan were resorts are urged to sell drugs by the local police.

So you think that the government should do NOTHING and just let drug criminals run free killing your children? Why is it that when the Thai government makes a stand and tries to clean Thailand up in any way the TV members start all these posts that seem to be "anti, anti drug war?'

Seems to me that the government should just hand over ALL of their issues to members on Thaivisa and you can all figure it out for them?

I say all the power to these brave police etc. and wish them the best of luck and hope that no one gets hurt.

Sure you can go on and on and on about what Thaksin did but get a grip people, that was the past, this is the present. It's a good thing that Thai's don't listen to anything said here on these forums.

In case you hadn't noticed, I can't find any comment that says or suggests that the government should do nothing.

Brave police? Care to explain that point?.

Just in case you hadn't noticed, the past is still here fully, completely, totally, all day, every day, and right now has a total grip on Thailand.

So you think that the government should do NOTHING and just let drug criminals run free killing your children? Why is it that when the Thai government makes a stand and tries to clean Thailand up in any way the TV members start all these posts that seem to be "anti, anti drug war?'

Seems to me that the government should just hand over ALL of their issues to members on Thaivisa and you can all figure it out for them?

I say all the power to these brave police etc. and wish them the best of luck and hope that no one gets hurt.

Sure you can go on and on and on about what Thaksin did but get a grip people, that was the past, this is the present. It's a good thing that Thai's don't listen to anything said here on these forums.

Obviously pretty new to Thailand this one...

Probably thinks sick buffalo's are real too.

Chalearm never learns. Just another lie to woo the stupider half of the population?

So you think that the government should do NOTHING and just let drug criminals run free killing your children? Why is it that when the Thai government makes a stand and tries to clean Thailand up in any way the TV members start all these posts that seem to be "anti, anti drug war?'

Seems to me that the government should just hand over ALL of their issues to members on Thaivisa and you can all figure it out for them?

I say all the power to these brave police etc. and wish them the best of luck and hope that no one gets hurt.

Sure you can go on and on and on about what Thaksin did but get a grip people, that was the past, this is the present. It's a good thing that Thai's don't listen to anything said here on these forums.

You've gotten many answers so far, but I'll give you a really important one thus far missing.

Nothing wrong with declaring a war on drugs and going after criminals. However, the last guy who tried to eliminate the problem here in Thailand did so with very little due process. People were just wiped out. How many were innocent/guilty, nobody knows.

To state the obvious, this will never happen

For every drug dealer that is jailed or shot .... two new ones will appear

As long as there is good money to be made selling drugs .... there will be a supply

As long as people have little or no hope for a better future .... there will be demand

Simple economics says eradicating drugs cannot be done

So you think that the government should do NOTHING and just let drug criminals run free killing your children? Why is it that when the Thai government makes a stand and tries to clean Thailand up in any way the TV members start all these posts that seem to be "anti, anti drug war?'

Seems to me that the government should just hand over ALL of their issues to members on Thaivisa and you can all figure it out for them?

I say all the power to these brave police etc. and wish them the best of luck and hope that no one gets hurt.

Sure you can go on and on and on about what Thaksin did but get a grip people, that was the past, this is the present. It's a good thing that Thai's don't listen to anything said here on these forums.

There speaks the experienced voice of a Thaksin supporter. The point I was making is that the Thaksin-styled war on drugs gave his cronies many an opportunity to commit foul deeds. Cleaning up the drug problem in Thailand is an important issue, but here we are talking about methodology and Chalerm does not seem to have grasped the issue. All he can do is mimic his boss. It seems that people involved in this dirty business fall into three camps:

1. Impoverished tribal males get involved in drug dealing (their sisters get into 'massage'). Although this is a generalisation there is a fair amount of truth in this which is recognised by many of the farang NGOs working in this field.

2. Police officers

3. Businessmen with big bucks often associated with politicians

So knowing these facts the solution will not be a drugs war as it only targets people down the food chain. Mr Big carries on as normal.

His Majesty the King wisely understood the connection between hill tribe poverty and drug cultivation. As a result the north has many King's (and Queen's) projects which turned poppy farming (etc) into market gardening and this was a hugely successful and valuable programme.

What the war on Drugs needs to focus on, therefore, is a two-pronged attack, these being:

1. Targeting corruption amongst the individuals highlighted in 2 & 3 above; and

2. Creating imaginative programmes, including vocational education, for the males (and females) as shown in 1 above.

OK, easier said than done, but shooting drug dealers on sight (and innocent bystanders, political enemies and so on) does not work as proven by the fact that since Thaksin's war on drugs, the dealers have come back stronger than ever. In other words shooting was a great headline-grabbing activity but it was of no lasting benefit. Contrast this with the King's Projects which largely eradicated drug farming in the North of Thailand and you'll understand what I mean.

So you think that the government should do NOTHING and just let drug criminals run free killing your children?. . . . . .

There is one drug which causes children to die - more than all the other drugs combined. And that's (you guessed it) alcoholic drinks.

Thai authorities need to take a crash course (pun intended) in comparing drugs. Currently, hemp is illegal and it never harmed anyone. Ganga is illegal, but when have you ever heard of a ganga crazed person causing a multi-death traffic accident, or beating his wife? Some illegal drugs can cause harm (to its users and others), yet all the harm from illegal drugs don't come close the cumulative harm caused by alcohol. Interesting that the same politicians who are directing policies are also some of the same who accept cases of Johnny Walker Whiskey to sweeten bribes or for special occasions - wedding, funerals, promotions, holidays, etc.

A recent study in the US showed that pharmaceutical drugs cause more deaths than all illegal drugs combined. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

So you think that the government should do NOTHING and just let drug criminals run free killing your children? Why is it that when the Thai government makes a stand and tries to clean Thailand up in any way the TV members start all these posts that seem to be "anti, anti drug war?'

Seems to me that the government should just hand over ALL of their issues to members on Thaivisa and you can all figure it out for them?

I say all the power to these brave police etc. and wish them the best of luck and hope that no one gets hurt.

Sure you can go on and on and on about what Thaksin did but get a grip people, that was the past, this is the present. It's a good thing that Thai's don't listen to anything said here on these forums.

Great to see your so passionate about this issue Gone, 2% of the Thai population are drug addicts so you believe the Thai government should go after the drug suppliers with the full wieght of the law. However, in the US there are 2.7 million youth (sic) ages 4-17 years currently using amphedimines, the only difference is that their are prescribed by doctors and supplied by pharmacretical companies. Like illegal drug producers, pharmacetical companies will never be brought to task for producing these drugs that destroy peoples lives and like you said "killing our children". It will only be the end user that is forced to pay. So instead of providing support, empathy, education and treatment for addiction, lets declare war on them.

I don't know that those in a position of authority known an addict from A Dick. They have a significant problem with drug abuse, that seems obvious.

My problem with these campaigns is that the last time they had one, I was less than a minute from getting caught in the crossfire on my way home from work. They shot two people on the road in front of my Moo Bahn.

If I want to get shot at, I could just move to LA, Kabul, Caracas etc... Please not here in Bangkok.

Tax it out of existence the real government way.