Thailand Confident Drug-Free Asean Achievable In 2015

[Lite Beer]

Thailand confident Drug-Free ASEAN achievable in 2015

BANGKOK, Feb 19 --- Thailand is confident in achieving its target in the pursuit of a Drug-Free ASEAN in 2015 while allocating Bt15 million in financial assistance for Myanmar to initiate a development project aimed at eradicating opium and drug production, according to the Narcotics Control Board.

Sukhum Opasnipat, deputy secretary-general of the Narcotics Control Board said that in the pursuit of a Drug-Free ASEAN in 2015, aiming at eliminating opium in member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he was confident that Thailand will be able to achieve its target.

Currently, about 1,000 rai (or about 400 acres) of land along border areas in the northern provinces of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai have been found to be used for illegal opium cultivation.

As for ASEAN, member countries which have been facing a rise in opium cultivation are Myanmar, with a 37 per cent increase of opium cultivation or about 200 tonnes of yield, followed by the Lao PDR, growing about 40 tonnes of opium.

In order to help eradicate opium in Myanmar, Thailand’s Narcotics Control Board allocated Bt15 million of financial support for the Myanmar government to initiate a development project for sustainable alternative livelihood of residents of the opium development areas by applying the Doi Tung Development Project as a model.

Mr Sukhum said that the Myanmar government selected Tachileik in Shan State as a pilot area for this development project by educating people about His Majesty King Bhumibol’s initiatives and helping minority groups in Myanmar grow alternative crops as a substitute to opium, adding that the Doi Tung Development Project in Thailand will help sell products made by Myanmar villagers participating in the project.

The deputy secretary-general expected that Thailand will realise benefits from this project as it will help reduce the number of drugs smuggled into the country through the border.

In addition, Mr Sukhum remarked about the overall drug situations in ASEAN member countries that the spread of drug abuse in these countries is estimated to be proportionate to Thailand, particularly Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam. Heroin and crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘ice,’ are the narcotics used most by drug addicts in the region. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-02-19

[Lite Beer]

Thailand contributes THB15 mil to help Myanmar become drug-free

BANGKOK, 19 February 2012 (NNT) – In pursuit of the Drug-Free ASEAN 2015 goal, Thailand has allocated THB15 million to help Myanmar set up a self-sufficient community to cut down on the country's opium cultivation.

Deputy Secretary General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Sukhum Opartnipat expressed that Thailand is confident that a drug-free ASEAN can be achieved by 2015. The collective goal among ASEAN member countries targets the eradication of opium, which can be refined into heroin, from the region.

Mr. Sukhum stated that at present there are approximately 1,000 rais of illicit opium cultivation in the North of Thailand, along the border of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces. Meanwhile, the situation of opium cultivation in certain ASEAN states sees no improvement, especially in Myanmar and Laos, where 200 tons and 40 tons of opium are still cultivated, respectively.

Mr. Sukhum added that in order to achieve the Drug-Free ASEAN 2015 goal, the ONCB has allocated a budget of THB15 million to help the government of Myanmar establish a sustainable alternative development project for people living in opium cultivation areas. The Doi Tung project under the Mae Fah Luang Foundation will be responsible for carrying out a pilot development program in the Tachilek region of Shan State. The project will introduce the community members to His Majesty King Bhumibol's self-sufficiency philosophy while also creating career opportunities for them. Products made by the community members will be sold in Thailand through the Doi Tung project.

This project will be beneficial to Thailand as it will eradicate drug smuggling into the kingdom across the Thai-Myanmar border as well as set Thailand free from being a transit route for narcotic drugs to other countries.

Additionally, the ONCB Deputy Secretary General pointed out the current drug situation in the ASEAN region. Mr. Sukhum explained that member countries, especially Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam, are facing as many drug-related problems as Thailand at present. The most problematic drugs in ASEAN are heroin and meth.

-- NNT 2012-02-19

[OZEMADE]

Drug free ASEAN in 3 years, not gonna happen in his lifetime. Tooo much tea money to loose.

[Reasonableman]

Oh dear, looks like the world is now predicted to end in 2015

[scorecard]

Jail a few politicians, senior police and military officers, drug lords for 20 years and a good selection of their second in command and you might start to have some impact. Not before.

[nurofiend]

pffffffffffffffffffffft

is all i have to say.

[Om85]

OMG, I hate saying this but I've already started to miss Abhisit

[OzMick]

That deserves an A for optimism, somewhat less for credibility.

[Moruya]

I'll give another, more believable statement.

99% of PTP politicians believe in fairies.

[Soi Sauce]

Please give the magic formula to the USA and Europe. They've been trying to do the same for decades, and it has cost them a little more than 15 million baht to be unsuccessful.

THailand will be a true democracy, accountable honest politicos and police etc, before this happens.

[Pib]

Glad to hear Thailand is going to lead the eradication of opium in ASEAN....Thailand is so good at solving problems...just look at drug-free Thailand, Thai political harmony, flood management expertise, etc.

[Jingthing]

Only way is to change the definition of drug to English proficiency.

[Soi Sauce]

took them a decade to open a 5km skytrain extension, and I've just read this thread.

Thailand may introduce joint public transport tickets in 2015

But they will officially eradicate drugs in the same year!!!!!!!!!

Edited February 19, 2012 by Soi Sauce

[Reasonableman]

That's also not going to happen. This is 2012, and apart from wishful from policy pronouncements, what has been done to actually progress this agenda for 2015?

Only way is to change the definition of drug to English proficiency.

[Jingthing]

That's also not going to happen. This is 2012, and apart from wishful from policy pronouncements, what has been done to actually progress this agenda for 2015?

Only way is to change the definition of drug to English proficiency.

I meant more specifically that Thailand can expect to wipe out widespread English proficiency by 2015 ... now actually.

[scorecard]

took them a decade to open a 5km skytrain extension, and I've just read this thread.

Thailand may introduce joint public transport tickets in 2015

But they will officially eradicate drugs in the same year!!!!!!!!!

Well at least they have allowed time to plan it properly.

[Reasonableman]

Oh, I see. In that case we are agreed.

That's also not going to happen. This is 2012, and apart from wishful from policy pronouncements, what has been done to actually progress this agenda for 2015?

Only way is to change the definition of drug to English proficiency.

I meant more specifically that Thailand can expect to wipe out widespread English proficiency by 2015 ... now actually.

[bigbamboo]

Drug free ASEAN in 3 years, not gonna happen in his lifetime. Tooo much tea money to loose.

I am always being told that with Chalerm at the helm anything is possible.

[chinook]

Does the Thai media have the bottle to ridicule this and other similar statements....do the Thais swallow this garbage?

[Jingthing]

Does the Thai media have the bottle to ridicule this and other similar statements....do the Thais swallow this garbage?

I have more respect for the Thai public than to believe that they do.

[givenall]

Drug free ASEAN in 3 years, not gonna happen in his lifetime. Tooo much tea money to loose.

\

they better share their technique with the west since they have been trying for over 50 years and billions of $$$$

[Jingthing]

Drug free ASEAN in 3 years, not gonna happen in his lifetime. Tooo much tea money to loose.

\

they better share their technique with the west since they have been trying for over 50 years and billions of $$$$

They probably have learned. Eternal wars on drugs are eternal money spinners and also good for vote getting.

[givenall]

Does the Thai media have the bottle to ridicule this and other similar statements....do the Thais swallow this garbage?

I have more respect for the Thai public than to believe that they do.

good idea, that cost 10 bth, where the rest of the money goes

[apetley]

Aint gonna happen when alot of dealers are the police themselves. Recently a cop was caught dealing in my wifes home town and his 'punishment' was a transfer!

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[connda]

I'm wondering if Mr. Sukhum is crashing his own stash. What planet does he live on? Show me one country in the world that has eradicated "illegal drugs". How many? -- Zero -- ! Impossible.

Better plan: Legalize pot, decriminalize everything else, pour the money into education and rehabilitation -- if there is no demand, the supply will sputter and stop. And why won't this happen: same old story -- corruption.

[connda]

Drug free ASEAN in 3 years, not gonna happen in his lifetime. Tooo much tea money to loose.

\

they better share their technique with the west since they have been trying for over 50 years and billions of $$$$

They probably have learned. Eternal wars on drugs are eternal money spinners and also good for vote getting.

Amen on that!

[mrtoad]

Drug free ASEAN in 3 years, not gonna happen in his lifetime. Tooo much tea money to loose.

I am always being told that with Chalerm at the helm anything is possible.

I'm sure that Chalerm has it all in hand as usual. Surprised that other governments and drug agencies aren't consulting with Chalerm.

[AngryParent]

Just like the "report" button, there should be a PROPAGANDA button!

[JeremyBowskill]

I for 1 am pleased that Asean will be drug fee in 2015 because that also means the will have eradicated poverty!! bravo and I can't wait to live in A perfect world.

[cdnvic]

I don't know why we're even discussing this. Thaksin eliminated drugs in 2004.