THAILAND GETS US, CHINA SUPPORT IN ANTI-DRUGS WAR

Officials from three countries will work together on a wide range of
strategies to wipe out the menace, seen as the "greatest security threat'

BANGKOK -- Thailand has obtained important support from the United States
and China to tackle its worsening drug problem, described by officials here
as the country's ""greatest security threat''.

Its officials are currently drafting separate cooperation agreements on
drug suppression with their counterparts in Beijing and Washington ahead of
an international narcotics conference to be held in Bangkok next week.

The bilateral tie-ups with the two superpowers are significant.

The agreement with the US is the first time that the Thai army will work
together with its American counterpart to combat the drug problem.

Previous cooperation have been confined to civilian officials of the US
Drug Enforcement Agency and the Thai narcotics bureau.

According to Admiral Dennis Blair, head of the US Pacific Command who
visited Bangkok last week, the US army will provide training on drug
suppression to Thai soldiers and supply equipment such as night vision
devices and other military gear.

Additionally, the US has pledged US$6 million (S$10.2 million) to fund
anti-drug activities such as crop control, law enforcement, and cooperation
with third countries over the next year.

The agreement with China is equally significant because of the high-level
interest reflected in the recent exchange of letters between Prime Minister
Chuan Leekpai and his Chinese counterpart Zhu Rongji.

In his reply to Mr Chuan who sought China's cooperation, Mr Zhu said
emphatically: ""Our conviction is: never stop fighting until the total
eradication of drugs is achieved.''

The agreement with China is expected to include sharing of intelligence,
suppressing movement of drugs and precursor chemicals, and setting up
rehabilitation facilities.

Thailand and China share long borders with Myanmar, the source of millions
of amphetamine pills which flood Asia, including Singapore.

The United Wa State Army, an ethnic group based near the Thai-Myanmar
border, is allegedly responsible for producing the stimulants made from
precursor chemicals that are said to originate from Thailand and Yunnan,
China's south-western province.

The 20,000-strong group is also accused of processing much of the heroin
and opium that are smuggled into the US and Europe.

Thailand has accused Myanmar of turning a blind eye to the activities on
its border.

Despite joint patrols by their officials to prevent cross-border
trafficking, there has been no significant improvement.

Thailand also has porous borders with Laos and Cambodia where illicit drug
trafficking takes place largely undetected.

Thai officials said over 600 million amphetamine tablets were smuggled into
Thailand last year and more than 600,000 students here were hooked on the
""speed'' pills, which are sold at 100 baht (S$4) each.

Enlisting the help of the US and China is seen as a desperate move by
Bangkok to keep pace with regional efforts to create a drug-free Asean by
2015, a deadline set by Foreign Ministers of the 10-member grouping in July.

Thailand and the United Nations Drug Control Programme will co-host a
three-day international meeting in Bangkok next week to promote regional
cooperation in the fight against drugs.

Sources said the US and European countries, which are among the 34
participating nations, are expected to pressure Myanmar to step up efforts
against drug production.

Ms Tanitha Nakin, a senior Thai narcotics official, said: ""The drug
problem does not only affect Thailand but also other countries in the region.''

THE FIGURES: GRIM STORY

About 600 million amphetamine tablets with a market value of 60 billion
baht (S$2.4 billion) were smuggled into Thailand from Myanmar last year.

About 1,700 tonnes of opium are grown each year in the Golden Triangle,
where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet.

Over 60 amphetamine factories are believed to be operating near the
Thai-Myanmar border.

Amphetamine is the most abused drug, followed by marijuana, heroin, Ecstasy
pills and cocaine. About 700,000 students are addicted to amphetamines.

Thirty-four drug traffickers were given death sentences this year, double
the number for murder.