Chiang Rai News
No Victory in the War on Drugs in Northern Thailand
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CHIANG RAI – Two recent developments show how the war on illicit drugs is literally never-ending. At home, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha unveiled another five-year master plan. Abroad, Thai anti-drug enforcers joined China, Laos and Myanmar in a renewed effort to take back control of the Mekong River from drug smugglers in the Golden Triangle region that includes Thailand’s far North.
Taken separately, the two steps are impressive. The ONCB plans to bring the public into its confidence. Its new master plan calls for better education. It calls for both prevention of drug abuse — the demand side of the dirty business — as well as putting more pressure on the supply side — the drug dealers.
Offers to rehabilitate drug abusers are to be expanded, after more than 303,000 users surprised authorities with requests for treatment last year. The drug kings running trafficking rings from their prison cells are to face a large-scale crackdown. At first glance, it seems the aura of reform is catching on and motivating the anti-drug community as well as political activists.
The diplomacy of another Mekong River group is even more daunting. The last such effort ended in murderous violence. Police in Chiang Rai arrested nine Thai anti-drug soldiers thought to be employed as enforcement muscle for drug traffickers. They allegedly killed 13 Chinese sailors, innocent bystanders in a violent area.
If that was not enough, Chinese authorities were so disillusioned with their long-time allies in Myanmar that they effectively invaded the country. Drug lord Naw Kham and three accomplices were snatched in a paramilitary operation. Hooded and handcuffed, they were spirited off to Kunming for a quick “trial” and execution. Naw Kham was supposedly the paymaster of the nine accused soldier-killers.
That was only last year. In the 18 months since, there has been no positive effect on the drug trade. Every ONCB estimate and working paper claims the Myanmar-based drug gangs are producing more ya ba tablets, crystal “ice” and heroin today than when Naw Kham was caught. The nine soldiers are, officially, awaiting trial.
So the newest domestic plan to pursue the war on drugs envisions a new version of the “holistic” approach. It will help drug abusers while trying to take drug dealers off the street corners. Of course ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra also had a plan to remove the local drug peddlers. After some 2,500 dealers and innocent bystanders were killed under his campaign, the effect on supplies and prices of drugs remains to be seen.
The dictator Sarit Thanarat, probably unwittingly, began the current war on drugs on July 1, 1959. That was the day opium and dens were banned. Sarit was uncomfortable with the government running the opium monopoly. It is a kind of irony that a huge government apparatus has since been formed to oppose drugs — operations far larger, more expensive and more deadly than the opium dens. And still there is no strategy to track, capture and neutralise the top ranks of the drug traffickers, almost all of whom live in Myanmar.
Authorities have been pursuing this war on drugs for three generations. It may not be the longest war in history, but it is arguably the most frustrating. That’s because of the word that is never heard. No Thai leader has ever proclaimed that “victory” is the goal. That is probably because victory can’t even be defined. But another five years of this unproductive battle against illicit drugs is a depressing idea.
Police in Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai Province have arrested a 50 year old man after the threatened to rape a 20 year-old woman and the proceeded to murder her 2 and half month old baby.
Police with doctors from Wiang Kaen Hospital and the Chao Luang Wiang Kaen Welfare Association were summoned to the scene of the incident to a 2-story cement house, Village No. 2, Tha Kham Subdistrict, Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai
On arrival they found Ms. Chanikarn, age 20, in a state of distress crying uncontrollably beside her 2 and a half month baby girl (Linlada) that was dead on the floor.
After calming Ms. Chanikarn, the child’s mother, said that at approximately 2:30 p.m she was out to collect diapers that had been dried in front of the house, while her 2 and a half month old daughter was sleep on the ground floor of the house.
She said she was suddenly approached by a Mr. Lee, about 40 years old, who lived on the opposite side of the road. He came towards her and grabbed her arm and threatened her saying if she didn’t sleeping with him he will go and kill his daughter.
Miss Chanikan refused and ran away, then Mr. Lee then walked into the house and grabbed Ms. Linlada’s leg, smashing the child’s head against the cement floor of the house. The infant died immediately.
Mr. Lee then just walked away and returned to his own home, leaving Miss Chanikan and her dead baby.
When police went to Mr. Lee’s home he immediately confessed killing the infant and was taken to Wiang Kaen Police Station for further questioning. Under caution he told police that he was sexually attracted to Miss Chanikan‘s and when her husband leave for work he took the opportunity to approach her.
He said when he saw her husband leave he crossed that road and found Miss Chanikan in the yard alone, he then threatened her to sleep with him, saying he would kill her child if she didn’t have sex with him. However when she refused he flew into a fit of rage walked into her home and murdered he baby. He said he was out of control with rage.
After killing the infant he walk across the street to his home and waited for the police to arrive. The police have charged him with premeditated murder and attempted rape. He is being held without bail at the local remand center.
Meanwhile, Miss Chanikan and her family were preparing a religious burial ceremony for the child.
Other Chiang Rai News:
Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/
CHIANG RAI: Prime Minister Settha Thavisin has authorized the establishment of an emergency cyber center operated by the Royal Thai Police to combat transnational crimes committed by call center gangs along the Thai border in Chiang Rai province.
On July 19, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin directed the Center to combat information technology crimes. The Royal Thai Police (Royal Thai Police) will crack down on call center gangs in Myanmar, Laos, and along the border.
His directive comes as call center gangs ratchet up their scams to defraud people of their money, causing concern among Thais and jeopardizing the country’s economic and social stability.
Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander and Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, Assigned Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Police/Deputy Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, has launched the operation ‘Bombing the Thieves’ Bridge’ in collaboration with the CAT Office, G., mobile phone network operators AIS DTAC TRUE NT, and local security agencies to cut the mobile phone signal and WiFi internet that criminals illegally use to deceive Thai citizens.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai stated that they will begin pressing the first action of the ‘Explosion of Thieves’ Bridge’ in Chiang Rai Province toward the thieves’ base of operations in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
The territory surrounding King Roman in Laos. King Roman is now a full-service entertainment destination with an airport that welcomes travelers from Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, he explained.
According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai, this operation will have no influence on honest people along the Thai border, and it will only target cyber criminals.
They will also increase the arrest and prosecution of unlawful service towers, such as SIM booths, which allow gangs register SIM cards to swindle the people. Dealing with criminal organizations of foreigners and Thais who band together to deceive and damage Thais.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) suspended more than three million SIM cards on July 16 because the holders had not verified their identities with their mobile phone operators by the deadline, in accordance with the NBTC’s measures to combat alleged fraudsters’ mule accounts.
The names of the holders of 80 million mobile phone numbers used for mobile banking transactions did not match the names associated with the mobile banking accounts.
The NBTC would require mobile phone companies to authenticate SIM card holders and the names of their mobile banking accounts. The verification procedure is expected to be completed by the end of September this year.
In addition, the NBTC and Royal Thai Police have collaborated to combat illegal telecom towers throughout the country’s borders, disconnecting signals at 465 places, altering antenna direction at 470 towers, and dismantling antennas at 179 locations.
They are certain that the move will disrupt contact center gangs and other types of technology-based crime.
Other Chiang Rai News:
Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/
Police in Mae Chan, Chiang Rai, shot and killed a 28-year-old man who allegedly attacked a police officer with a machete. The officer was slashed in the right leg with the machete.
According to police, the culprit, known only as Mr. Toon, had been harassing local villagers in Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai, threatening them with a knife and using violet insults.
The village headman arrived on the scene to try to calm Mr. Toon, but he was shouting hysterically and taking swipes at him with the machete, so he contacted the police.
When the responding officer arrived at the site about 9 p.m., he attempted to calm the man, but he instead assaulted the officer, slashing his right leg with the machete. In self-defense, the cop had to fire his gun at Mr. Toon, striking him in the chest.
Mr. Toon and the policeman were taken to Mae Chan Hospital, where Mr. Toon died of a gunshot wound. Pol Sgt. Sutthikiat Phanomphraisakul was released from the hospital after receiving numerous stitches for his injuries.
Local police received a tip around 9.30 p.m. yesterday that a guy was causing mayhem in the village. When authorities arrived, they discovered 28-year-old Toon strolling along a public road, holding a large knife and threatening people. Mae Chan district officials attempted to contain the incident.
During a search of Mr. Toon’s home, authorities discovered methamphetamine consumption equipment. Locals told authorities that the man was addicted to Yaba (Methamphetamine) and an alcoholic.
The authorities are conducting an inquiry to determine Toon’s motivations and whether any underlying issues contributed to his violent outburst.
Other related news:
Chiang Mai Police Offer Cash Reward After Officer Killed
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/crime/chiang-mai-police-offer-reward/
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