Thailand to step up fight against “ice’

NAI YANG: Thailand will improve its coordination with Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) partners as part of its fight against drug trafficking in the region, with particular focus on the growing popularity of “ice”, a crystalline form of methamphetamine (ya bah).

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Pol Gen Chidchai Vanasatidya made the announcement at the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime Plus Three (SOMTC+3) Working Group on Narcotics being held at the Pearl Village Phuket Resort yesterday and today.

Gen Chidchai explained that ice is already popular in Japan, Malaysia and China, and stressed, “Asean countries need greater coordination in fighting drug trafficking in those countries, including more involvement from Asean dialog partner South Korea, where the drug is becoming increasingly popular.

“Thailand must be aware of this kind of narcotic, too. Ya bah is the most popular [illegal drug] in Thailand, but we must be more wary of ice.”

He also said that Thailand and Malaysia are working together on cocaine control, especially the problem of drug dealers importing cocaine to Malaysia and trafficking it from there to Thailand.

“Thailand is continuing its efforts against drugs, despite the fact that the numbers of users and dealers are decreasing,” Gen Chidchai said.

“However, Thailand must focus more on strengthening the local community, making them strong and keeping them away from narcotics.”