PM TO RAISE DRUGS ISSUE WITH BURMA

Nong Khai, Vientiane In Cooperation Deal

Joint measures with Burma to fight drug trafficking along the Thai- Burmese
border will be highlighted during Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's visit
to Rangoon next week.

``I will discuss the drugs issue with the Burmese to work out joint
measures against drug trafficking along the border,'' Mr Thaksin said
during yesterday's visit to the army headquarters, where he told a
gathering of army officers of the government's determination to root out
the drugs problem.

``We will have to be specific so that joint solutions could be found to
snuff out the problem,'' said the prime minister who is due to visit Burma
on Feb 9-10.

Mr Thaksin said he appreciated the military's opening of its barracks
countrywide for use as drugs rehabilitation centres. The government would
continue giving financial support to the programme, he added.

Meanwhile, Nong Khai provincial authorities have struck a cooperation deal
with Vientiane to combat drug trafficking along the Thai-Lao border.

Agreement was reached during a courtesy visit by Nong Khai governor Wongsak
Sawasdipanich to Thongsing Thammawong, the mayor of Vientiane, on Tuesday.

Mr Thongsing pledged his full cooperation, a source said. Vientiane was
also committed to a swift drug suppression policy.

As part of the campaign, a Nong Khai-Vientiane bicycle rally carrying
anti-drug messages was planned for March.

An estimated 500,000 methamphetamine pills were being smuggled through Nong
Khai from Laos each month, the source said. The province has a 330km border
with Laos.

Steps to stem the flow of illicit drugs and curtail their distribution
include more frequent border patrols, closer intelligence news gathering,
and more drug factory raids.