PUBLISHED : 2 Aug 2024 at 04:00
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin may invite US Ambassador Robert F Godec to visit the northern region later this month to monitor progress in anti-drug operations there.
Mr Srettha said yesterday that he had discussed the drug problems the country was facing with Mr Godec on Wednesday.
The US’ anti-narcotics agency has been working with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, but not many field visits have been conducted, he said.
Mr Godec may be invited to join the premier’s next trip to the northern region, which may happen later this month, Mr Srettha said.
The prime minister emphasised that not only is the distribution of meth pills in the region increasing, but there is also a rise in heroin sales bound for other countries, including Australia and the US.
Mr Srettha said the government is working to crack down on drugs in 25 main provinces, with the goal of making Nan and Roi Et “clean” by the end of next month.
“The main [goal] is to test everyone for drugs and provide therapy for addicts,” he said.
In other news, 6 million meth pills worth about 900 million baht were seized on Monday morning in tambon Tasai in Chiang Rai’s Muang district.
The pills were allegedly brought from the Myanmar border in Mae Sai district by a Thai man and a Lao man.