ARMY FEARS INFLOW OF 200M PILLS

Druglords Quit Stock Ahead of Crackdown

The army expects 200 million methamphetamine pills could be smuggled across
the northern border from Burma during the Songkran holiday.

Manufacturers are quitting stock ahead of a crackdown by Rangoon later this
month, drugs sources said.

The northern narcotics suppression bureau believes some speed pills have
already entered the country but the bulk of them are still at the
Thai-Burmese border.

As traffickers clear their stocks, the street price of speed has halved. In
Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai, one pill can be bought for seven baht, down
from 18 baht just weeks ago.

"The price has been slashed. It's lower than transport costs now," said the
source.

Drugs officials are bracing themselves for the expected influx.

Lt-Gen Udomchai Ongkhasingh, the Third Army commander, has closed Kiew Pha
Wok checkpoint in Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai, the most likely route
through which the drugs would pass.

Lak Taeng checkpoint in Wiang Haeng district in Chiang Mai has also been
closed, and sniffer dogs deployed at Mae Sai checkpoint in Chiang Rai.

Col Somsak Nilbanjerdkul, of Pha Muang task force, said leave had been
barred. "Commanders have told their troops not to take leave or fall ill.
All units must stay on alert," he said.

Meanwhile, a border source said an office belonging to Hong Pang Group in
Burma's Tachilek was closed yesterday. The group is owned by drug kingpin
Wei Hsueh-kang.

The drug fugitive reportedly left Ban Hong opposite Mae Fa Luang district
in Chiang Rai early last week, heading for the United Wa State Army's
headquarters.

The drug kingpin was made deputy leader of the pro-Rangoon UWSA recently
and is in charge of six Wa battalions stationed along the border opposite
Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces.

He was escorted by 500 Wa troops, the source said. Wei reportedly felt
uncomfortable with the political situation in Rangoon.

Rangoon told minority groups this week that drug trafficking would no
longer be tolerated. The Burmese junta reportedly sent the message to UWSA,
widely regarded as the biggest drug traffickers in the region.

Meanwhile, a group of 100 Burmese villagers yesterday petitioned the Third
Army about the closure of Lak Taeng border checkpoint in Chiang Mai.

The villagers wanted to cross the border to make merit at Wat Fah Wiang Inn
tomorrow and Tuesday.

They usually make merit at the temple on holy days.

The petition was accepted by Col Chaowalit Sirikit, of the Third Army
region. He said he would send it to the army for a decision.

"The border situation is not normal so the checkpoint has been closed down.
The army will decide if it will be opened for such special circumstances,"
he said.