ARMY CLAIMS SUCCESSES IN DRUGS AND WEAPONS HAULS

Self Praise A Questionable Recommendation

The Royal Thai Army's commander-in-chief, Gen Chaiyasith Shinawatra chaired
a press conference to report on weapons and drugs seized in the northern
border province of Mae Hong Son province.

The meeting was held on June 21 at Wing 41 conference room, and the top
brass was accompanied by Maj Gen Thawatchai Wattana, the commander of
Naresuan Force, and Pol Col Thanayin Thepraksa, the superintendent of Pai
police station, as well as Third Army Region commander Lt Gen Picharnmeth
Muangmanee and Mae Hong Son governor Suphot Laowansiri.

Maj Gen Thawatchai Wattana said that 11,000 ya ba pills, 1.3 kg of heroin
and one .38 pistol, two cartridges, 43 rounds of ammunition, another 89
rounds for 9 mm pistols and 824,000 baht in cash were seized in Pai
district, Mae Hong Son on June 19-20.

Gen Chaiyasith praised the work of the 3rd Army region, as well as the
"good cooperation" from Mae Hong Son provincial authorities, the drug
combat center and local residents.

"This is a good sign in the suppression work in the border areas," he said.