[Tlc] FW: Pavin: Thailand's War on Drugs

[Michael Montesano]

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THE STRAITS TIMES

April 1, 2008

 

THAILAND'S WAR ON DRUGS: A potentially disastrous weapon

By Pavin Chachavalpongpun

 

THE Thai government recently announced a new 'war on drugs', to be
launched this month, to curb an alarming surge in the flow of narcotics
through the kingdom. 

The first 'war on drugs' was launched by former prime minister Thaksin
Shinawatra in 2003. Human rights groups claim that this 'war' led to the
extra-judicial killing of more than 2,500 people. 
The Thai government estimates that 1.9 million people were either buying
or selling illicit drugs in 2003. Thaksin's tough measures brought that
number down to 450,000, but this rose to 570,000 last year. 
The increasing availability of drugs - mostly methamphetamines, known
locally as yaa baa - has been evident since the military coup of
September 2006. The relaxation of measures since then has contributed to
a rise in the cultivation and production of narcotics in Thailand. 
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says poppy cultivation in
Thailand rose by 30 per cent during the period, from 157ha in 2006 to
205ha last year. 
But Bangkok's latest 'war on drugs' is aimed not only at eliminating
deadly drugs, but also at strengthening the power of its political
elite. When Thaksin inaugurated his anti-drug campaign, there was little
resistance among Thais. Indeed, support for the 'war' indicates that the
Thai understanding of human rights is at odds with that of the West. 
The Samak Sundaravej government has portrayed its own 'war on drugs' as
a follow-up to that of Thaksin's. The ex-premier remains immensely
popular among Thais in the rural areas. By linking the latest 'war' to
Thaksin's, the government hopes to reaffirm its political legitimacy. 
Of more concern, to make the 'war' appear justifiable, the government
has released statistics purporting to show a correlation between drug
trafficking and the on-going insurgency in southern Thailand. 
About 40 per cent of drug traffickers, it is claimed, come from suburban
Bangkok and the Muslim-majority southern provinces. Such statistics
might further alienate Muslims by locating them out of the realm of Thai
morality. 
Muslim insurgents could end up being depicted not only as troublesome
irredentists but also as drug traders who deserve to be dealt with by
stiff measures, including perhaps extra-judicial killings. 
The renewal of the 'war on drugs' will likely elicit a chorus of
disapproval from the international community, particularly human rights
groups. The question is how Thailand can balance the eradication of
drugs with the protection of human rights. Recent statements indicate
that the correct balance is unlikely to be found. 
Premier Samak has said: 'My government will decisively implement a
policy against drug trafficking. Government officials must implement
this policy 24 hours a day, but I will not set a target of how many
people should die.' 
Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung has said: 'When we implement a
policy that may bring 3,000 to 4,000 bodies, we will do it.' 
Drugs have long been a destabilising force in Thai society. Many young
people have fallen prey to drugs and this situation undoubtedly
threatens the well-being of the nation. The widespread use of narcotics
has also tarnished Thailand's reputation. It is perceived by foreigners
as a place where drugs are treated as commodities of everyday life. The
eradication of drugs has to be a national priority. 
But if this fresh anti-drug drive has been launched mainly for political
reasons - to cement the government's mandate or to divert public
attention from bad policies or to prosecute Muslims in the south - then
the consequences could be catastrophic. 
It could generate a climate of fear, violence and insecurity as well as
further delay the country's economic recovery. 
It could then become a bone of contention between Thailand and human
rights groups worldwide, especially if it is waged as carelessly as was
the previous one. 
The writer is a visiting research fellow at the Institute of Southeast
Asian Studies.

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