ELECTRONIC SENSORS DEPLOYED AT BORDER, RAIDS IN EIGHT PROVINCES

Arrest Warrants Out for 900-Plus Suspects

Electronic sensors are now helping the army combat drug smuggling
across the border from Burma in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces.

Fresh troops have also been sent to the area and patrols are being
increased.

With the government's intensive drug suppression campaign due to
culminate in time for the King's birthday on Dec 5, sources said drug
traffickers are stepping up their efforts.

Drug seizures had increased in Burma, especially in northern areas
close to China, and this was a dangerous sign that more drugs would be
diverted towards Thailand, said Manas Paorik, commander of the Pha
Muang Task Force.

Maj-Gen Manas said the electronic sensing equipment would make it more
difficult for smugglers trying to sneak drugs into northern Thailand.

The reinforcements were necessary despite Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra's satisfaction with the cooperation of neighbouring Burma,
Laos and Cambodia in drug-busting efforts, he said.

Police yesterday launched a series of raids on 390 locations in eight
northern provinces, arrested 67 suspects and seized assets worth about
103 million baht for examination.

The raids, involving more than 1,000 police, targeted suspects in
Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Lampang, Chiang Mai
and Phrae.

Pol Lt-Gen Chalor Chuwong, the Region 5 Police chief, said the assets
seized included cash, houses, a longan drying factory, nine plots of
land, nine cars, gold ornaments and electrical appliances.

Warrants had been issued for the arrest of more than 900 suspects, he
said. More raids were planned.