The Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) has declared its determination to fulfill Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s bold mission: to wipe out narcotics and drug trafficking in 25 of Thailand’s most impacted provinces within a mere three months. Prime Minister Srettha outlined this ambitious target on May 7, outlining drug eradication as a national priority during a cabinet meeting.
The Prime Minister’s challenge has spurred the NSB into high gear. Pol Lt Gen Khirisak Tantinvachai, the NSB commissioner, is confident they will meet this daunting deadline. “I’m optimistic we can achieve the Prime Minister’s goal within three months,” he asserts, adding, “We expect to see significant progress every 90 days.”
This isn’t uncharted territory for NSB officers, who are seasoned in relentlessly pursuing drug dealers. Khirisak mentions a pivotal piece of legislation, the Narcotics Act of Dec 8, 2021, which categorizes narcotic substances and underscores both rehabilitation and legal procedures, aligning with United Nations guidelines. “Regular assessments, especially quarterly, enhance our response and reduce the risk of narcotics permeating the country,” he articulates.
One of the NSB’s strategic focuses is controlling reactant substances that are pivotal in drug production. These include benzyl cyanide, sodium cyanide, sulphuric acid, aniline, acetonitrile, methanol, chloroform, and toluene. These chemicals are frequently smuggled in via logistics vessels from Asian countries, cleverly misregistered with fictitious factories in places like Yangon.
Pol Lt Gen Khirisak recounted a significant operation where NSB officers intercepted over 90 tonnes of such substances at Laem Chabang pier in Chon Buri on June 7. The cargo originated from Busan, South Korea, and was bound for a non-existent factory in Myanmar. Had this vessel succeeded in its journey, it could have generated approximately 270 million methamphetamine pills, not to mention its potential for producing crystal meth (ya ice) or cocaine.
The NSB has demonstrated remarkable success in drug seizures, capturing 720 million methamphetamine pills last year and a staggering 800 million pills within the first three quarters of this year. Their strategy hinges on arresting small-time dealers, revealing larger networks comprising at least 80% of major networks with 500,000+ meth pills in stock and 48% of mid-tier networks with 100,000-500,000 pills. This tactic has also pinpointed 10% of community-level drug networks.
Concern isn’t limited to border zones. Downtown areas pose a substantial threat where drugs, once produced, seamlessly slip into urban territories. Dealers smartly transport drugs directly from production bases to urban hotspots. “Our current focus is preventing drugs from infesting cities and urban zones,” explains Pol Lt Gen Khirisak, adding that soldiers manage drug suppression at borders whilst NSB and police tackle urban distribution.
The battle against drugs is most intense in the 25 high-risk provinces such as Bangkok, Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Surat Thani. Additionally, five provinces in the deep South—Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, Satun, and Songkhla—are prioritized. A noteworthy initiative is the pilot program led by Pol Gen Kraiboon Suadsong, targeting Roi Et and Nan provinces, notorious for their high drug usage rates.
Pol Lt Gen Khirisak emphasizes that more officers and a bolstered budget are critical for the project’s triumph. The government, along with state agencies, has been fervently working on these high-risk areas since last October, aiming for tangible results that could potentially set a benchmark in drug eradication efforts worldwide.
As the NSB girds itself for the tough task ahead, the resolve to maintain public safety and order shines through. With meticulous planning, unwavering dedication, and the right resources, the day when Thailand’s streets are entirely drug-free may finally be within reach.
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