Thailand To Burn 3.5 Tonnes Of Drugs

[george]

Thailand to burn 3.5 tonnes of drugs on International Drugs Day

BANGKOK: -- To mark Thailand's observance of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking on June 26, some 3.5 tonnes of seized drugs worth some Bt11 billion (about US$285 million) will be burned, Public Health Minister Pinij Jarusombat said Thursday.

It will be the 34th officially conducted destruction of seized drugs to be held in the kingdom after several years of such exercises, he said.

Ninety per cent of the total seized narcotics to be burned are comprised of 32 million tablets of metamphetamines, overall weighing 2,800 kilogrammes.

The balance of the drugs slated for destruction include heroin, opium, Ecstasy, cocaine, cannabis, and codeine, Mr. Pinij said.

Before being brought for burning, the drugs will be stored at the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To date 20.5 tonnes of drugs seized in relation to 56,000 police cases have been kept under care of the agency, Thai FDA secretary-general Pakdi Photisiri said.

Since the government declared its war on drugs in 2001, the number of seized drugs has decreased on average, the FDA officer said, with the total dropping to 3.3 tonnes in 2004, compared to 8.5 tonnes in 2003.

However, last year the volume of drugs collected rose by more than one-third, to 4.6 tonnes, he said.

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is celebrated annually on June 26 to commemorate the signature of the Declaration adopted at the International Conference against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking in 1987.

--TNA 2006-06-23

[Scott]

Some years back I attended a provincial police drug burning. The wind suddenly changed and, well, we all had a nice, pleasant afternoon!

[sriracha john]

It will be the 34th officially conducted destruction of seized drugs to be held in the kingdom

A pretty fair indicator that ANY program is not being successful is when you repeat something for the 34th time.

[astral]

Thailand to burn 3.5 tonnes of drugs on International Drugs Day

When did they last weigh it?

Has there been much "shrinkage"??

[chownah]

I would think that burning coal would be a more efficient energy source...but hey...you've got to burn what's readily available I guess.

[pop_corn]

Some years back I attended a provincial police drug burning. The wind suddenly changed and, well, we all had a nice, pleasant afternoon!

hahahahahahahaahaha

soooo... where they are going to burn the drug's???

5555555

[Jai Dee]

Thailand burns 3.5 tonnes of seized narcotics

AYUTTHAYA, June 26 (TNA) - The Thai government burned some 3.5 tonnes of seized narcotics worth nearly Bt11 billion (about US$285 million) Monday morning to mark Thailand's observance of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking,

Public Health Minister Pinij Jarusombat presided over a ceremony to destroy the seized drugs, the 34th of its kind over the past years, at the Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate in this central province of Ayutthaya Province.

Most of the drugs burned through an internationally-standardized environmentally-friendly system, called pyrolytic Incineration, include 32 million tablets of etamphetamines weighing 2,800 kilogrammes, followed by heroin, opium, ecstasy, cocaine, cannabis and codeine.

The event was witnessed by representatives of Thai and international agencies and organizations, including foreign journalists.

The Thai government declared its war on drugs in 2001, resulting in the number of seized drugs having steadily dropped on average, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where the seized drugs were stored before being destroyed.

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is celebrated annually on June 26 to commemorate the signature of the Declaration adopted at the International Conference against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking in 1987.

Source: TNA - 26 June 2006

[sriracha john]

thaivisa's very own, bkkmadness, was on hand and was seen to be nosing around the sizeable pile.....

[Jai Dee]

DPM Chitchai: each arrest of drug dealer must lead to the arresti of the person behind the illegal business

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) has indicated that the arrest of every drug dealer must lead to the capture of the major dealers and their properties will have to be seized.

Pol. Gen. Chitchai said that narcotic suppression is the core policy that the government has to pay special attention to, so that people will not suffer from its negative consequences. He said that officers have to cooperate with foreign intelligence units to prevent drug smuggling and trafficking. He informed that the cooperation involves five countries, namely Thailand, China, India, Myanmar and Laos.

However, the Justice Minister said that this suppression needs the collaboration from private sector as well. He has affirmed that the current narcotic situation is under control.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 26 June 2006

[Pink Mist]

Thailand to burn 3.5 tonnes of drugs on International Drugs Day

When did they last weigh it?

Has there been much "shrinkage"??

the question is when did they first weigh it