US ASKED TO FINGER FIRMS LAUNDERING SPEED PROFITS

The Senate has called on the US to help identify any American firms
based in Thailand which may serve as a front for laundering drug
profits.

The foreign affairs panel put the request to US charge d'affaires
Marie Huntala yesterday, committee spokesman Vidhaya Masena said.

Mrs Huntala told the panel the US would maintain its present policy
towards Rangoon until democratic rule was established in Burma, where
minority groups were producing methamphetamines for sale in the US
market via Thailand.

She also asked Thailand to contain problems along the border which
directly involve its nationals.

Mrs Huntala said construction material and labour used in the rapid
building of the Wa border township of Mawng Yon had come from
Thailand.

The spokesman said the panel would soon invite Surakiart Sathirathai,
the foreign minister, to testify on the border drug issue.

A Senate extraordinary committee on drug prevention and suppression
has appointed Pol Gen Sawasdi Amornvivat, a Chiang Mai senator, to
head a working group to find ways and means to fight illicit drugs.

A mail box will be opened at parliament to receive tips and
information on the drug trade from the public.

- - Klong Toey, Min Buri and Din Daeng have been identified as "red
areas" where drug suppression will be given special emphasis in
Bangkok.

Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said yesterday a war on
drugs would begin in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ratchaburi, Pathum Thani,
and Khon Kaen in April.

The ministry had set up a "war room" to co-ordinate the work of the
various agencies in the programme, she said after meeting
representatives from the Interior, Education and Justice ministries,
the PM's Office and police.

It would operate under two committees, one chaired by her and the
other by Bavorn Ngamkasem, adviser to the health minister.

Addicts caught in the drug trade would be given the option of
enrolling for rehabilitation therapy or going to court. "If they
choose therapy they will not face any legal action," said Mrs
Sudarat. As patients, they would be under army supervision. Any
member of the public wanting to kick a drug habit could visit one of
the ministry's rehabilitation centres, she said.

Medical Services Department deputy chief Chatri Banchuen said the
rehabilitation course would last four months.