Bkk Post-Army chief alarmed at drug

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Subject: Bkk Post-Army chief alarmed at drug threat

Bangkok Post June 17, 1999.
Army chief alarmed at drug threat
Border pass seen as boost for traffickers

Wassana Nanuam

The opening of a border checkpoint in Chiang Mai is benefiting a Burmese
minority that produces amphetamines, the army chief said yesterday.

The prolonged opening of the pass in Mae Ai district had facilitated the
import of the drug, which was a social menace, said Gen Surayud Chulanont.

The army chief did not specify the checkpoint but was thought to be
referring to the temporary pass between Mong Yawn, in Burma, and Ban
Santondu, Mae Ai.

The pass was ordered open last July with support from Gen Boonsak
Kamhaengrithirong, former head of the National Security Council, and Gen
Chettha Thanajaro, former army chief.

The council felt opening the pass would invigorate the local economy, with
several hundred four-wheel drive vehicles having been sold already.

The pass is a gateway to a vast area controlled by the United Wa State Army,
accused by Thai and United States narcotics authorities as the biggest
trafficker in the Golden Triangle.

Since the opening, the area has been transformed, with the construction of a
dam, roads, water and electricity supplies, fuel storage, a school and
hospital. It is estimated the entire cost is one billion baht.

Gen Surayud felt uneasy about the development. "They sell us ya baa
[amphetamines] that help them buy materials to develop their land," he said.
"They have made a lot of money from drugs to develop their land.

"We have to consider the matter seriously because the prolonged opening of
the checkpoint will create a large number of drug addicts in Thailand."

Gen Surayud said Gen Charn Boonprasert, the army chief-of-staff, had
reported back on his inspection of the northern border, where he had found
deficiencies in anti-drug measures.