500 EX-DRUG ADDICTS ATTEND RETRAINING

And Score A 20,000 Baht Bonus!

Udom Maneekhat, Chiang Mai Provincial Development Office head, said that
the Chiang Mai Provincial Authorities appointed his office to work with
former drug addicts who had been rehabilitated during the war on drugs.
Part of the rehabilitation was training in useful occupational skills and
investment management methods.

In addition, the office has arranged training courses in March on the
Poverty Eradication Scheme in seven districts, including Samoeng, Mae Rim,
Mae Taeng, Chiang Dao, Phrao, Fang and Mae Ai districts.

Approximately 500 former drug addicts attended the course. After the
completion of the courses, the province gave each group of attendees 20,000
baht investment money to begin their small businesses. The Provincial
Development Office will be responsible in following up their business acumen.

Udom added that this occupational training course would inspire former drug
addicts to be eager to earn a living themselves.