Chiang Mai: "Phumtham" emphasizes that the Provincial Police Region 5 will solve the drug problem - prevent border threats, create confidence to welcome tourists during the high season. Reporters reported that yesterday, Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, visited the area to inspect the operations of the Provincial Police Region 5 Office, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai Province. Upon arrival, Mr. Phumtham received respect from the honor guard before paying homage to the Phra Phuttha Prathan Yuk Barami and laying a wreath at the memorial for brave police officers of Lanna who died while performing their duties in 8 northern provinces. According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Col. Adul Srichanta, Deputy Commander of the Provincial Police Region 5, reported on the water situation and progress of the encroachment on the Ping River to expand the river to prevent flooding in the area, which will result in the 32 rai of land belonging to the Provincial Police Region 5 being reduced to only 21 rai, or 65.5 percent. Mr. Phumtham then watched a video and listened to a briefing on the suppression of drugs, crimes, and cyber crimes before giving a policy statement that the key to the operation is to build self-confidence in performing one's duties in order to make the public and tourists confident during the high season. Thailand's main income comes from tourism. He wanted everyone to help create safety in all dimensions, which is the government's policy, and the government is ready to support modern technology as a tool for operations. Mr. Phumtham added that the government has already set a policy for drugs. Everyone is well aware that the drug problem is the number one problem in the country, higher than the cost of living, reaching every household and posing a threat to every country with a border. At the recent ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting, I met with the leader of Laos and discussed solving the drug problem along the border, which involves an attempt to change the drug tra fficking route from the North to the Northeast. 'I would like to see serious drug suppression. The army has given a policy, especially the Pha Muang task force, to seal the border and have preventive measures because high-ranking officials are concerned and want to see this. Meanwhile, the area of ??the Provincial Police Region 5 bordering a neighboring country has drug production sources. I would like to ask that this issue be resolved decisively, especially the borders of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. It is a bit more serious. If the drug problem can be solved, it will be of the greatest benefit to the country,' said Mr. Phumtham. Mr. Phumtham said that he wanted to use all forms of interception and suppression. In terms of foreign affairs, there must be coordination with relevant agencies to take action on the border and permanently destroy drug production sources. He went to the No Lae camp, which currently has problems with the Wa Red group and drugs. For the destruction of drug production sources and wai ting areas, most of which are in ethnic minority areas, he confirmed that we are firmly in our area, but admitted that coordination in practice is quite difficult. The ethnic minorities have the central government, which is a matter of internal conflict within their country. We will not get involved in that part. However, we have asked for cooperation from the Burmese government to help take care of this matter. If they encroach on our area, we will not accept it. When asked whether the government's policy to crack down on and suppress drugs would affect border areas, Mr. Phumtham said that border areas are quite involved with ethnic minorities. Even though they have a need or are in difficulty, drugs are prohibited in Thailand. They cannot be imported. Therefore, border areas are a matter that must be protected. We have a duty to protect against all threats to the country. 'I confirm that it is not defensive. Now we are advancing to the border. How can we call it defensive? Because it is a foreign matter. We cannot invade their territory. We can only seal our border. As for suppression and arrest measures, we have the ONCB taking action already. It can be called a proactive response to seriously deal with this problem,' said Mr. Phumtham. 314.-Thai News Agency
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