BID TO SET UP INTERNATIONAL HQ

The House drug suppression follow-up committee is pushing for the
establishment of an international drug control police head office in
Thailand with support from the United States.

Col Winai Sompong, chairman of the panel, said the commitee's proposal on
forming the International Drug Control Police headquarters in Thailand won
support from Washington after it was presented to US authorities during the
panel's study trip to the US in June.

The members met the US deputy secretary of state, senators, representatives
of US anti-drug units and the Supreme Court for discussions.

"We informed them of the drug problem in Thailand and of Thai government
policies to seriously tackle this problem.

"After this they agreed with our idea to form an international drug police
office in Thailand because we are located near drug sources. This will help
us much with tackling drug problems," the chairman said.

Col Winai said the House panel also proposed organising an international
seminar in Thailand on laws as a major tool in the war on drugs.

About 300 representatives of all Asean countries, China, Japan, the
Netherlands and the US, as well as human rights groups and NGOs, will be
invited to the seminar, scheduled for Bangkok in January.

Three laws to be discussed are on wiretapping, money laundering and witness
protection.

On Oct 4, a Thai-US academic seminar on drug laws will be held at the US
embassy in Bangkok under the digital video conference system.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Senator Chirmsak Pinthong hit out at the government,
saying it had failed to combat the spread of untaxed Krong Thip cigarettes,
which could cause the state to lose about 18.2 billion baht revenue this year.