Srettha urges AMLO to focus on large-scale drug syndicates

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to prioritise seizing the assets of significant drug networks to cripple the narcotics trade.

During an AMLO meeting yesterday, July 18, the Bangkok-born PM was briefed on the agency’s progress in implementing its policies and operations. The AMLO Secretary-General, Thepsu Bawornchotdara, reported that the agency had seized at least 523 million baht in assets related to narcotic drug cases between 2023 and 2024.

The largest single seizure involved assets worth at least 100 million baht, allegedly owned by a drug gang operated by Charnchai Khlonglu.

AMLO’s report also highlighted significant seizures from other networks. Assets worth 48 million baht were impounded in 2022 from a network linked to Myanmar tycoon Tun Min Latt, while another 37 million baht worth of assets was seized from a businessman identified as Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant.

PM Srettha emphasised the necessity for AMLO and related agencies to proactively target the assets of major narcotics networks. He stressed that large quantities of illicit drugs continue to be imported into the country and that assets acquired through drug money must be impounded to combat money laundering.

The 62 year old PM noted that the big fish traffickers and traders provide the upstream finances for the entire drug networks, so their assets must be impounded quickly to dismantle the distribution network, trafficking and sales.

He further insisted that the agency must leverage its legal authority to act swiftly, noting that “People are watching.”

The Thai premier also called for AMLO to work proactively with other agencies, such as the Royal Thai Police (RTP), to expand investigations and improve asset seizure efficiency. He urged the agency to follow the trail of illegal money from online gambling and call centre scams.

Seized assets, he noted, should be used to compensate victims of these scams. Additionally, PM Srettha suggested that AMLO help create a stricter security system for financial institutions to protect customers from scammers.

In a subsequent meeting with the Australian ambassador to Thailand, Angela Macdonald, the Thai prime minister discussed trans-border drug suppression operations. He also plans to discuss narcotics suppression efforts with the US ambassador to Thailand, Robert F Godec, in their next meeting, reported Bangkok Post.