14-12-2024 (BANGKOK) Thailand’s government is set to establish a new anti-narcotics taskforce under the direct leadership of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, marking a robust response to the country’s persistent drug challenges.
The initiative was revealed during a Pheu Thai Party seminar in the coastal resort town of Hua Hin, where former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, father of the current premier, outlined the government’s strengthened approach to combating illicit substances.
The new taskforce represents a marked escalation in Thailand’s drug control efforts, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn taking personal command of the operation. The strategy involves close collaboration with Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, focusing on coordinating efforts between police forces and provincial authorities.
Speaking at the party gathering, the elder Shinawatra drew parallels with his own administration’s anti-drug campaigns, suggesting that current narcotic problems have intensified since his time in office. “The situation can be reversed with proper coordination between law enforcement and local authorities,” he stated, adding that provincial officials who fail to meet targets could face reassignment.
The announcement has stirred memories of Thailand’s previous drug suppression campaigns, particularly the controversial 2003 crackdown under Thaksin’s administration. Official records from the Interior Ministry indicate that the three-month operation, which began on 1 February 2003, resulted in over 43,000 arrests and numerous casualties.
The previous campaign’s statistics paint a complex picture of its impact. Thirteen provinces, including major regions like Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima, reported complete success in meeting their targets, whilst Nakhon Sawan achieved a 79.20% success rate. The operation also led to the dismissal of 736 government officials for drug-related corruption.
