BANGKOK — Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday called for an uncompromising approach to Thailand’s drug crisis, declaring that anyone involved in narcotics should be considered “an enemy of Thailand” and treated without mercy.
Being invited by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), Thaksin appeared publicly after facing a barrage of political issues, including the Medical Council’s decision to punish the doctor who diagnosed him for his transfer to the 14th floor of Police Hospital instead of serving his sentence in prison last year, leading to rumors that he had left the country.
A Controversial War on Drugs
The ONCB stated that they invited Thaksin to deliver a lecture and provide guidance to the team because of his track record in drug suppression during his time as Prime Minister. Back then, Thaksin declared a war on drugs in 2003, which was popular among many people. However, he faced opposition from human rights groups because that war resulted in extrajudicial killings and over 1,400 deaths.
Meanwhile, current opposition party members warned that he should not use a hardline approach again, or he might end up like former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
During this latest meeting on drug prevention and suppression on May 27, Thaksin recommended focusing suppression efforts on external production sources while using rehabilitation methods for drug addicts within the country. He urged the government to declare war on Myanmar’s Red Wa Army, which he identified as the primary source of drugs entering Thailand.
Almost 100% of Drugs from Red Wa
The former premier highlighted a significant shift in drug production patterns, noting that while major traffickers were previously based in Thailand with production split between domestic and foreign sources, nearly all narcotics now originate from the Red Wa region in Myanmar’s Shan State.
“Knowing the source means we cannot remain indifferent,” Thaksin stated, emphasizing that Thailand has become the largest drug market in the region due to its economic strength.
Calls for Regional Cooperation
Thaksin proposed leveraging his relationships with neighboring countries to secure cooperation in combating drug production at its source. He suggested that if Myanmar cannot control the Red Wa minority group, Thailand should seek permission to take direct action.
“In the next 1-2 months, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will need to meet with all neighboring countries to unite forces to make the Red Wa stop producing drugs,” he said.
Systemic Reform Needed
The former PM criticized Thailand’s current approach, noting that 29 agencies currently handle drug-related issues, potentially creating coordination problems. He pointed to gaps in container inspection capabilities, with customs handling 6 million containers annually but lacking sufficient X-ray equipment.
Thaksin advocated for cutting electricity and communications to drug operations using Thai infrastructure, stating that anyone refusing to cooperate would be considered “an adversary to their own country.”
Community-Level Action
Emphasizing the need for community involvement, Thaksin proposed creating “white areas” (drug-free zones) at the village level and called for closer cooperation between police and local administration officials.
He offered to personally visit provinces to identify drug problems and report findings to the Interior Minister, describing himself as willing to be “a bit of a whistleblower.”
Budget Reallocation Suggestion
Thaksin suggested that a portion of the 157 billion baht digital wallet budget could be redirected to decisively solve the drug problem by the end of 2025, believing the public would accept this prioritization.
Multi-Ministry Approach
The former PM called for coordinated efforts across multiple ministries, including Education for prevention programs, Public Health for rehabilitation services, and Defense for border security operations.
He emphasized that the anti-drug campaign must be sustained rather than a temporary effort, concluding: “Today, anyone involved with drugs is an enemy of Thailand.
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