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BP: Ecstasyto flood Thai market



October 19, 1998 							
								

     								


NARCOTICS

Ecstasyto flood Thai market

Wa tribesmen create home-made version
Nusara Thaitawat and Subin Khuenkaew
Locally produced ecstasy drugs could be on the market by early next year,
said Sorasit Sangprasert, deputy secretary-general of the Narcotics Control
Board.
"They're very close, they might even be able to market them early next
year," he told the Bangkok Post while in Phitsanulok on Saturday for the
opening of the provincial arm of the newly-established National Narcotics
Operation Centre.
He declined to be specific about those involved but said that Thai and
Western anti-narcotics sources said evidence pointed to the same ethnic Wa
traffickers from Burma responsible for the influx of millions of
amphetamine tablets from laboratories just across from Thailand's northern
border.
A naturalised Dutch Chinese chemist, said to be one of the best and highest
paid in the business, has spent nearly two years in Wa laboratories
experimenting with the initial production and training local chemists,
sources said.
Some 100,000 ecstasy tablets of lower quality seized in Bangkok three
months ago are believed to originate from the Wa laboratories and to be
part of an effort by the traffickers to test the market, sources said.
"But because the effect could not match the European ecstasy, there weren't
many takers," said a narcotics police source.
Ecstasy (or methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) belongs to the same family
as methamphetamine but requires a more stable laboratory condition to produce.
"Needless to say, it's not easy in the jungle," said one Western source.
Though all the necessary ingredients can be found in the Mekong region and
India, laboratory equipments such as agitators are expensive and needed to
be imported, he said.
Mr Sorasit said the development was of "grave concern" to anti-narcotics
officials who are already overwhelmed by the influx of millions of
amphetamine tablets across the northern border and other synthetic drugs
from Europe.
"Prices will come down, distribution will be easier," he said. "The social
impact will definitely be greater, The effect of ecstasy on the mind is 10
times stronger than amphetamine," he said.
The European ecstasy is priced at over 1,000 baht and because it has to be
smuggled, mostly by air, these two factors have limited the drugs
availability on the market. With the locally produced ecstasy, its use will
not be confined to the rich.
"Ecstasy is the next big market in the region, a new diversified product
line," commented a Western source.
Mr Sorasit said the NNOC is closely monitoring the movement around the area
believed to be the site of the laboratory where ecstasy is being developed.
The police also claim they know the identity of the Dutch-Chinese chemist
and the capacity of the laboratory.
But this development is taking place outside Thai jurisdiction. The chemist
is not wanted in Thailand on drugs related charges and unless another
country with an agreement for legal mutual assistance want him, he could
easily travel through the country to another destination without being
arrested.
In an attempt to stem the influx of narcotic drugs, particularly
amphetamines, from Burma and Laos, Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai has
appointed Lt-Gen Sommai Vichavorn, commander of the 3rd Army Region,
director of narcotics suppression office responsible for the borders of
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son.
PM's Office Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said yesterday in Phitsanulok that
from now on troops of the 3rd Army Region would take charge of policing the
borders with Burma and Laos in the three northern provinces to intercept
the smuggling of illicit drugs.
He said the first task of the troops was to send psychological warfare
teams into border villages to explain to the villagers the need to stamp
out illicit drugs and to solicit their support for the effort.
The next target is to strike at the narcotic gangs which involve local
politicians and officials, said Mr Jurin, adding that production bases
would be the last target.
He said that the cabinet tomorrow would consider a proposed regulation
which seeks harsher penalties against government officials found to be
implicated in drugs trade.
Lt-Gen Sommai, meanwhile, stressed the importance of intelligence as the
heart of a successful campaign. He said he would soon call a meeting of his
subordinates to be briefed of their new role and also to map out
suppression plans.
The spread of expensive ecstasy is also posing a threat in the South with
several foreign businessmen-run entertainment places fronting as illicit
drug venues, said a senior anti-narcotics officer.
Pinyo Thongchai, director of the Southern Narcotics Prevention and
Suppression Centre, revealed that several entertainment places in southern
provinces of Songkhla and Narathiwat sold ecstasy to teenagers and
students, adding those places were run by foreign businessmen from
neighbouring countries.
According to reports, 50 percent of drug clients were teenagers, aged
between 15-18 years old.
Other kinds of narcotics such as solvents, amphetamines and heroin have
also been rampant in several southern provinces, particularly in Nakhon Si
Thammarat, Songkhla and Narathiwat.
Tourists and crewmen were the main source of the spread of drugs in these
areas, added Mr Pinyo. 							 	

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© Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 1998
Last Modified: Mon, Oct 19, 1998
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