1. Background

According to the 2002 International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) Report, “3 million (Thai) people, or about 5 percent of the population, regularly abuse methamphetamine, which would make (Thailand) the world’s largest per capita consumer of the substance”. The spread of methamphetamine has seriously affected all sectors of the Thai society, particularly children and youth who are the future of the country. If left unchecked, methamphetamine influx has the potential to destroy the social fabric and negatively affect the development process of the country.  Moreover, methamphetamine (WY Brand) has been smuggled to other countries, for example, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Brunei Darussalam, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Republic of Korea, Japan, China and Switzerland.   A case in point, 450,000 methamphetamine tablets were seized in Switzerland in 2001. The “WY” brand of methamphetamine is the same brand that has been smuggled into Thailand.

In view of the aforementioned threat, the Royal Thai Government has, since early 2001, declared a “war against narcotic drugs”.  A national strategy called “the Concerted Effort of the Nation to Overcome Narcotic Drugs” has been formulated in order to address the problem in a more effective manner.   The initial outcome of the strategy was quite satisfactory although it could not completely end the epidemic situation of the drug problems in Thailand.   Therefore, an integrated strategy is needed to counter the growing sophistication of the drugs network, which involves a complicated web of organized crimes. 

2. Integrated Strategy

In January 2003, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra issued an additional anti-drug guideline, Order No. 29/2546 on the Fight to Overcome Narcotic Drugs, to enhance the integration of the implementation of the national drugs control policy.  The Order led to the establishment of the National Command Center for Combating Narcotic Drugs (NCCB) under the chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

The basic thrust of NCCB comprises three main pillars, namely: 
 

• Prevention of potential drug abusers and addicts from getting involved with narcotic drugs by building a strong public immunity in order to prevent the increase of the number of people who are involved with narcotic drugs, thereby reducing the demand for narcotic drugs;
• Treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers and addicts in order to decrease drug demand in all its aspects, and to facilitate their reintegration into their communities with dignity as well as to prevent their return to addiction by creating anti-drug environment:
• Suppression of producers, traffickers and smugglers of narcotic drugs, precursor chemicals, and instruments for production of narcotic drugs as well as people who are involved in the narcotic trade in order to reduce the supply of narcotic drugs. 

The present policy seeks to draw its strength from public support and cooperation, especially at the community level.  Each and every person would become a part of this collective effort.  Multi-pronged approach, involving the three main pillars mentioned above, would be simultaneously employed to ensure optimum effectiveness.
 

3.1 Prevention:
Social measures such as education and awareness raising campaign would be employed to prevent children from involving with narcotic drugs.   Children would be encouraged to engage in creative activities in order to become a healthy human resource of the country, both physically and psychologically. All sectors of the society will be mobilized to achieve this common objective.

3.2 Treatment and Rehabilitation:
Drug abusers and addicts are considered victims, who should be provided with appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. Vocational training schemes are given to those who have already undergone treatment and rehabilitation in order to help them to help themselves without turning back to drugs. After-care services will also be provided to assist them to reintegrate into their communities.

3.3 Suppression
Graduated measures are being used to suppress the manufacturers, traffickers, and traders of narcotic drugs.   Awareness raising campaigns are being carried out to educate and make those involved in narcotic drugs trade realize the damaging effects of their own action to themselves, their families and their communities. The objective is to encourage them to give up their illegal activities and contribute to the development of their communities.  Those who committed narcotic-related offences will be regarded as a threat to the society and must be tried and investigated in accordance with all relevant laws.   Investigation will be pursued on all people who are involved with drug trade, as well as their properties in order to destroy the narcotic networks.  All government departments including state-owned enterprises are instructed to deal expeditiously and seriously with their officials who are suspected to be involved with narcotic trade. 

3.4 International Cooperation
Closer cooperation with other countries, especially neighboring countries, will be forged, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels, in order to eliminate the problems of manufacturing and influx of narcotic drugs.

4.1 In discharging their duties, law enforcement officials have been instructed to strictly observe the provision of the Criminal Code, which authorizes the use of lethal force only for self-defense.  Every unnatural death occurring during the police operations must be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the provision of law without exception. The statute of limitation for such case is 20 years.  In case of an extra-judicial killing, the law requires as follows:

a) An autopsy would be performed by a police official, a doctor, a prosecutor and a local administration official.

b) Investigation would be conducted and the result presented to the prosecutor.

c) The prosecutor would further investigate the police official who had caused the death and relatives of the deceased. Following the investigation, the prosecutor must file the case to the court.

d) If the court rules that the police official in question acted in genuine self-defense, the case is closed.   However, if the court rules that the police official in question acted excessively, the prosecutor would inform the investigator to proceed with the judicial process.

4.3 On 28 February 2003, the Prime Minister appointed two committees to monitor the implementation of the present policy and protect witnesses in drug-related murder cases and those who turned themselves in to the authorities.  The first committee, under the chairmanship of the designated Secretary-General of the ONCB Police Lieutenant General Chidchai Vanasathidya, is charged with monitoring the police conduct.   Another committee, under the chairmanship of the Attorney-General Wichian Wiriyaprasit, is responsible for protection of informants and witnesses.  The establishment of both committees reflects a firm commitment of the Royal Thai Government to ensure the rights of the innocents. 

* circulated to members of the Diplomatic Corps and representatives of International Organizations in Thailand during briefing by Mr. Veerasak Futrakul, Deputy Permanent Secretary, on 3 March 2003, 10.00 AM at the Narathip Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand