THREE DEALERS SHOT DEAD BY CITY POLICE

11 Suspects Killed In Last 7 Months

Three methamphetamine dealers were shot dead yesterday in a gunfight with
city police in Rat Burana district.

Somsak Thanaphan, 38, Akhom Phengkhote, 26, and Sathaporn Krutkaew, 24,
clashed with police on the Rat Burana bridge, Bang Pakok, when they arrived
for a drug deal.

Pol Col Wichai Sangprapai, investigation chief of Metropolitan Police
Division 8, said the suspects opened fire when police ordered them to
surrender for a search.

The three were killed when police returned fire.

Pol Col Wichai said Somsak, also known as Odd Phrapradaeng, was the leader
of a major drug gang in Soi Suksawat 52. He was sentenced to nine years in
jail for theft in 1987 and became a drug dealer upon his release.

In the last seven months, 11 drug suspects were killed during sting
operations involving Division 8 of the city police.

- - About 200 policemen and villagers from Muang district, Samut Prakan,
swore an oath yesterday not to use drugs.

Tambon Bang Pu police station led the ceremony in which 50 police officers,
45 informants and over 100 locals participated.

Pol Col Atapol Detduang, chief of the Muang Samut Prakan police, said the
ceremony was aimed at securing public co-operation in the fight against
drugs, especially speed. It would also serve as a warning to police not to
get involved in drug trafficking.

Pol Maj-Gen Prajim Limsuwan, chief of Samut Prakan police, saidspeed pills
and other drugs were rampant in the province because there were many
industrial workers in the region.

He said drug arrests were on the increase in the province but insisted
small-scale drug traffickers outnumbered giant gangs.

- - Gen Surayud Chulanont will again propose joint Thai-Burmeseborder drug
patrols when a top Burmese official visits Thailand for talks next month.

He said he would also inform Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, first secretary of Burma's
military junta, that Thailand was ready to help minority groups in Burma
stop producing drugs and take up other occupations.

A similar proposal was made previously but the State Peace and Development
Council did notrespond. Burma's problems with ethnic minority groups would
also be brought up at this month's ministerial meeting in China between
Thailand, China, Burma and Laos, he said.

The 19th Thai-Burmese Regional Border Committee meeting will be held in
Pattaya on Aug 22-24. Lt-Gen Wattanachai Chaimuanwong, the Third Army
commander, will lead the Thai delegation and Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Triangle
Region commander, would lead the Burmese delegation.

During the meeting, the Burmese delegation will be allowed to visit the
navy's aircraft carrier, Chakri Naruebet, at nearby Sattahip.