Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday defended the government's policy to get tough with drug dealers, while Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said it would "be natural" if more than 2,700 people were killed during the crackdown.
Published on February 23, 2008
"Should we do nothing because we are afraid that someone is going to criticise us for silence killings that may occur?" Samak said, when asked about the revival of the government's "war on drugs" and the possibility of many more killings.
The war on drugs launched by the Thaksin Shinawatra-led government saw more than 2,800 allegedly drug-related deaths. Police claimed that those murdered were drug traffickers targeted by fellow traffickers to prevent them from speaking up.
However, several reports later showed that many victims were not linked to the drug trade at all.
"Why are you worried about the fate of drug traffickers?" Samak said, insisting his government was going to launch a serious crackdown.
Chalerm, the first government figure to push for the revival of the tough policy on drugs, reiterated his stand yesterday.
"It's a good policy," he said.
Speaking to Interior Mini-stry executives, provincial governors and district chiefs, Chalerm said it would be natural if more than 2,700 people were killed during the upcoming crackdown.
"I am not saying you should summon drug suspects and shoot them down," he said, "I am just telling you to closely monitor drug suspects and cooperate closely with police".
Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat said he would not interfere with Chalerm's plan to seriously crack down on drug traffickers. However, he said he would oppose any excessive use of force.
In a related development, Sompong said he was going to propose to Samak that the authorities should be able to investigate the assets of drug suspects' extended families.
"Seven generations would be appropriate," he said, "Such an investigation would allow us to see money circulating in the illicit drug trade."
Meanwhile, police yesterday reported two large hauls of methamphetamine tablets.
In one case, 198,000 tablets were seized from four foreigners at a house in Chiang Rai. In the other, police confiscated 100,000 tablets after two drug traffickers were shot dead.
The dealers opened fire after they discovered they were delivering the illicit drugs to undercover policemen. The police shot back, killing the two men.
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Published on February 23, 2008
"Should we do nothing because we are afraid that someone is going to criticise us for silence killings that may occur?" Samak said, when asked about the revival of the government's "war on drugs" and the possibility of many more killings.
The war on drugs launched by the Thaksin Shinawatra-led government saw more than 2,800 allegedly drug-related deaths. Police claimed that those murdered were drug traffickers targeted by fellow traffickers to prevent them from speaking up.
However, several reports later showed that many victims were not linked to the drug trade at all.
"Why are you worried about the fate of drug traffickers?" Samak said, insisting his government was going to launch a serious crackdown.
Chalerm, the first government figure to push for the revival of the tough policy on drugs, reiterated his stand yesterday.
"It's a good policy," he said.
Speaking to Interior Mini-stry executives, provincial governors and district chiefs, Chalerm said it would be natural if more than 2,700 people were killed during the upcoming crackdown.
"I am not saying you should summon drug suspects and shoot them down," he said, "I am just telling you to closely monitor drug suspects and cooperate closely with police".
Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat said he would not interfere with Chalerm's plan to seriously crack down on drug traffickers. However, he said he would oppose any excessive use of force.
In a related development, Sompong said he was going to propose to Samak that the authorities should be able to investigate the assets of drug suspects' extended families.
"Seven generations would be appropriate," he said, "Such an investigation would allow us to see money circulating in the illicit drug trade."
Meanwhile, police yesterday reported two large hauls of methamphetamine tablets.
In one case, 198,000 tablets were seized from four foreigners at a house in Chiang Rai. In the other, police confiscated 100,000 tablets after two drug traffickers were shot dead.
The dealers opened fire after they discovered they were delivering the illicit drugs to undercover policemen. The police shot back, killing the two men.
The Nation
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Add this link to...
Tell a friend
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