Patong faces anti-drugs “X-ray’

KATHU: Patong will come under “X-ray” scrutiny in the government’s current campaign to eliminate drugs, Phuket Governor CEO Udomsak Usawarangura said yesterday. Speaking at an anti-drugs concert at the Kathu District Office, the Governor said, “Phuket is moving to get rid of the 5% left [of people involved in drugs]. The marked area is Patong, where we must strictly ‘re-X-ray’. I plan to discuss this with the new Police Commander [Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Veerayuth Sittimalic] very soon.” Gov Udomsak explained that while the national deadline for a drug-free Thailand was December 2, as laid down by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the deadline in Phuket has been brought forward to November 30. He expressed faith in authorities’ ability to succeed. “Phuket people realize that drugs are harmful to society and they support the government’s policy of drug control. Statistics show that drug-related crime is falling, which proves that Phuket people choose not to become involved in drugs.”