No. 24 - 10/2005
30 October 2005

Drugs

Book names alleged Thai traffickers

A recently released book by a Thai academic has named 11 Thais who are known or suspected to have been involved in drug trafficking.

A Plastic Nation
(www.univpress.com)

A Plastic Nation: The curse of Thainess in Thai-Burma Relations, by Dr. Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Singapore-based Thai researcher, says those who can be identified or suspected of involvement in drug trafficking or associating with known drug traffickers include:

• Thanong Siripreechapong, a former MP from Nakhon Phanom
• Mr. N--, a former MP from Phrae, who fell short in his attempt to reach the premiership because of drug scandals
• Mr. W--, a former MP from Samut Prakarn, who became a deputy interior minister during the Chartichai administration and minister of Prime Minister's Office during the short-lived Suchinda Kraprayoon administration in 1992 (He was alleged to have close connections to Wa commander Wei Hsuehkang, who granted him a business connection in Mong Yawn area)
• K--, son of a former primer minister reportedly co-invested with Khun Sa's son, Cham Herng
• General P from Maehongson, believed to be networking with Maha Cha (Maha Ja) of Homong, Khun Sa's former headquarters
• N--, a high-ranking official at the Chiangmai Administrative Office
• Ah Lu, an assistant to a famous village headman in Chiangmai's Fang district
• S--, a local politician in Chiangrai's Maesai district, who operates a petrol and property business
• A local politician of Maehongson's Pang Mapha district
• S--, a well-known Kamnan (head of sub district) in Chiangrai's Mae Faluang district
• Kamnan K--, of Chiangrai's Chiangsaen district

Dr. Pavin quotes Col Sutat Jarumanee, head of a Thai anti-drug task force at the Thai-Burma border saying, "There is just too much money involved; unfortunately, it is making many of my honest men dishonest."

Thailand's all-out war on drugs that began in 2003 is now entering a fourth-phase campaign.

The book can be ordered from University Press of America, Inc, 450 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, Maryland 20706.