OPIUM ERADICATION CONTINUES

US Ambassador lauds Thailand's efforts

The Chiang Mai-based 7th Artillery Battalion, with cooperation from the US
government, has shown a positive will to eradicate drugs from Thailand.

Thai and US governments have worked together for 30 years to get rid of
drugs from the country and make hill tribe people change from planting and
using it.

Lieutenant General Picharnmeth Muangmanee, Commander of the 3rd Army Region,
said that opium destruction was successful because of good support from the
Thai government and financial support from the US government. "The number of
opium fields along the northern border has decreased from 5,000 rai last
year to 500 rai this year," he added.

US Ambassador to Thailand, Darryl N. Johnson said that in 1999 Thailand was
considered to be one of the high-risk areas of drug harvesting but now he
confirmed that Thailand was no longer mentioned. "Thailand has proved
successful in handling the drug problem showing that opium is no longer
significant in Thailand, but drug problems still remain, that I hope will be
cured soon," the US Ambassador said.

Both parties announced that they would pursue an opium destruction plan
continuing until next year, aiming to educate hill tribe people on the
dangers of opium, motivate them to plant other crops, with a crop
replacement program.