January 16, 1998: BKK POST SECURITY

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

January 16, 1998
SECURITY
 Tribal arms, drug traders under watch

                   Somsak Suksai 
                Lampang


              Provincial authorities are keeping a close eye on hilltribe people 
              selling weapons and drugs in order to cope with the recession.

              They have been warned to watch out for agents in Serm Ngam 
              and Chae Hom districts.

              Their respective district chiefs, Sanong Srinual and Niwit 
              Aroonrat, were told in a recent meeting with Governor 
              Chalermpol Prateepwanich to pay particular attention to Ban 
              Mae Liang Pattana in Serm Ngam and Ban Piang Chai in Chae 
              Hom.

              National Security Council reports say Karen and H'mong 
              tribespeople were dealing in arms coming from Chiang Dao 
              district in Chiang Mai and Thoeng district in Chiang Rai. They 
              were being sold by members of Lao resistance movement 
              groups which have ceased operations. Lowland financiers were 
              reported to be behind the trade in weapons mostly heading for 
              anti-Rangoon minority groups operating along the Thai-Burmese 
              border.

              Drugs, mostly amphetamines, were being both produced locally 
              and supplied from elsewhere.

              Concerned agencies have been told to investigate, said Mr 
              Chalermpol.

              Phusak Thammasan, an expert on tribespeople with the Public 
              Welfare Department, admitted economic hardship could tempt 
              northern tribesmen, numbering over 10,000, to turn to illegal 
              trading.

              According to reports, more tribesmen in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai 
              and Lampang had become amphetamine dealers.