THAKSIN DECLARES NEW DRUGS WAR

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday declared a new round of a
full-scale war on drugs, promising "brutal measures" against drug dealers
and traffickers.

"Drug dealers and traffickers are heartless and wicked. All of them must be
sent to meet the guardian of hell, so that there will not be any drugs in
the country," Mr Thaksin said.

A lot of youngsters had fallen victim to drug dealers over the years and
methamphetamines would likely make a comeback.

"These things are like cancer and we have to continue to keep a close watch
on them," he said. The new, one-year campaign would involve decisive action
against drug dealers and traffickers.

He did not mind if he was criticised. "I have never been afraid of public
criticism," he said.

The prime minister faced a barrage of public criticism during his first
anti-drugs war last year, in which about 2,500 people were killed. He said
those people were silenced by gangsters, not state agencies. Many people
disagreed.

Mr Thaksin said people with knowledge of drug networks in their areas
should inform the government, through his complaint box or provincial
governors.

The prime minister was speaking during a visit to Din Daeng flats where he
was helping the Thai Rak Thai candidate, actor Yuranan Phamornmontree,
better known as Sam, campaign for votes.

Mr Thaksin floated the idea of demolishing all the old Din Daeng flats and
building new ones.

Some residents opposed the idea, saying the prime minister was just trying
to win their votes, and they were worried they would have no place to live
during the reconstruction.

"We don't want new flats. What we want is the renovation of the existing
building," said Lamyong Sangsawang, 52, who has been living there for 35 years.