Bangkok: Bhumtham has unveiled a comprehensive policy to address the drug problem as a national agenda, emphasizing the need for cooperation across all sectors. He noted that the recent issues with Cambodia have temporarily impacted progress but assured that the government is prepared to offer necessary support and tools, highlighting public sentiment as crucial to success.
According to Thai News Agency, at 9:20 a.m., Mr. Phumtham and his team arrived at the 41st Air Force Base in Chiang Mai Province to deliver the operational policy for "No Drugs No Dealers to Zero Drugs Thailand." They also reviewed operations and held a press conference on drug-related arrests at the Provincial Police Region 5 headquarters. They were received by Pol. Gen. Kraibhun Thuadsong, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, and Pol. Lt. Gen. Kritthaphon Yisakhon, Commander of Provincial Police Region 5.
At 10:10 a.m., in the Phra Phutthaprathanyotbarami meeting room of Provincial Police Region 5, Pol. Maj. Gen. Thanarat Chumsawat reported on the results of drug suppression operations in the area for fiscal year 2025. From October 1, 2024, to August 18, 2025, authorities seized 222,091,726 methamphetamine pills, 11,462.83 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 1,842.92 kilograms of ketamine, 197.92 kilograms of heroin, and 155.88 kilograms of opium. A total of 22,467 drug-related cases were recorded, with 20,265 suspects detained under 984 arrest warrants. Moreover, 376 cases of conspiracy/support and 16 cases of money laundering were prosecuted.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Thanarat mentioned the challenges, noting that the large number of methamphetamine pills seized has caused delays in sending cases to the ONCB office in Thung Song Hong due to long inspection queues, affecting case outcomes.
Mr. Phumtham reiterated the importance of making drug control a national agenda, involving all sectors, including the Royal Thai Police, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Defense. He emphasized the need for modern technology to assist in this effort and mentioned the government's procurement of five mobile drug X-ray vehicles to aid in interception, with additional requests for more vehicles in the Northeast.
The government has implemented strict policies and measures addressing all aspects of the drug issue, from prevention to suppression, and aims to inspect entertainment venues and prioritize the crackdown on influential individuals. Emphasizing prevention, the policy focuses on building resilience among youth and the public, especially in communities and educational institutions. The Ministry of Interior's mechanisms, including over 700,000 Village Defense Volunteers, play a crucial role in this initiative.
Mr. Phumtham urged all sectors to take decisive action against major drug dealers and transnational traffickers, stressing the need for coordination with relevant agencies to combat external sources of drugs. He highlighted the importance of treatment and rehabilitation in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health and called for provincial governors to aid in these efforts.
Stressing the importance of public sentiment, Mr. Phumtham remarked, "Numbers aren't the ultimate answer, but if the public says, 'Great! Drugs are gone! We're happy!' That's the result of the work."