MEET SET TO GAUGE VIEWS ON DRUG LAWS

Thaksin Supports The Death Penalty

Representatives of NGOs and other agencies have been invited to participate
in a national seminar on drug suppression in Chiang Rai next week.

Thiraphat Santimatanedol, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the
Narcotics Control Board, said the conference would gauge relevant agencies'
views on drug controls.

He said the session would be attended by cabinet ministers and high-level
ministry officials, as well as academics, researchers and representatives
from NGOs studying drug problems.

The two-day seminar, which will start on March 11, will be chaired by Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh will be briefed by the ONCB
secretary-general on Wednesday, after which he will present his policy on
drug suppression to senior military officers on Friday.

Mr Thaksin said the seminar is expected to produce clear-cut measures to
combat drugs.

Delegates will discuss how co-operation among drug suppression agencies,
who currently work on their own, can be increased.

"There are several agencies involved in the fight against drugs, but they
work independently. We must bring them together. Thailand has failed to
solve big problems because of this," Mr Thaksin said.

The premier also stressed a need for the death penalty against drug
producers and traffickers.

National Security Council chief Khachadpai Burusphat also voiced support
for the government's plan to use some military camps as drug rehabilitation
centres.

The Second Army is currently running a programme to encourage communities
to participate in the rehabilitation of drug addicts, he said.

Thailand also needs to boost co-operation in drug suppression among
neighbouring countries, Mr Khachadpai said.