Government House, The Prime Minister plans to invite the United States to join a visit to the North to solve the drug problem at the end of August after discussing cooperation. He stated that he was satisfied that 25 provinces had done well, but some provinces did not meet the criteria. He ordered the “Minister of Interior 1” to help more.
Prime Minister Settha Thavisin gave an interview about solving the drug problem, saying that on July 31, he had a discussion about the drug problem with Robert F. Godec, the US Ambassador to Thailand. The US Ambassador came to meet him. He understood that the US drug agency had already coordinated with our Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), but he might not have gone down to the area yet. Therefore, if he has the opportunity to go down to the North again, which is expected to be at the end of August, he will invite him to go with him because, as he said, it is not just a matter of methamphetamine pills that have increased, but the amount of heroin has also incre
ased fourfold, with the destinations being Australia and the United States.
As for the drug issue, what decisive measures will be taken to eliminate drugs as soon as possible? The Prime Minister said that they are currently doing so. As I said, we have 25 main provinces, with the focus on Nan and Roi Et, which must become white provinces by the end of September. The main points are to X-ray everyone, conduct urine tests, and put them into the process.
When asked if the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) had reported that urine tests of vocational students found a lot of purple urine, the Prime Minister said that no report had been made yet, but if any were found, they would have to be entered into the system. On the day of the Cabinet meeting, he spoke with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul that more help would have to be given because some of the 25 provinces performed better than expected, while some provinces did not meet the criteria t
hey should have. He had instructed Anutin to give orders to the provinces, and Anutin promised to give instructions on this matter.
Source: Thai News Agency