DRUG RUNNING INCREASES IN WET SEASON

Commander of the 3rd Army Region Warns Three Northern Provinces

Lt. Gen. Picharnmeth Muangmanee, commander of the 3rd Third Army believes
that the incidence of drug running across the borders will increase for the
next few months. He said the drug traders, who are more experienced with
the routes and able to travel by foot along the hillsides to smuggle in the
narcotics, are favoured by the seasonal weather.

Commander Phicharnmeth said Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son
provinces must be closely watched, as they are the provinces which are
connected to the neighboring countries that are making drug deliveries.
These three provinces are mountainous and cannot be traversed with
vehicular transport. Even using helicopters for surveillance is difficult
with the thick undergrowth and they are forced to use foot patrols.

Neighboring countries Burma, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and China also have
concerns over drugs. However, the best way is if everyone in the nation
alerts state officials when they have evidence of drug transactions taking
place.