Cheap speed poised to flood Thailand

Cheap speed poised to flood Thailand

Following unprecedented tough measures by Rangoon on the Wa and Kokang, informed sources said drug prices were falling and millions of methaphetamine pills had been waiting to overwhelm the Thai drug user market during the Songkran (water throwing) festival.

"Already 2 million were shipped in on Wednesday (10 April) by the joint Burmese (military) - Wa cartel here", said a source from Mongton, opposite Chiangdao District, Chiangmai Province.

According to the source, 15 soldiers from IB (Infantry Battalion) 65 and 20 Wa fighters, loaded the 20 packs of Yama, as methaphetamine is known to Shans, in their trucks at 4:00 in the evening and drove southward to the Thai border, 60-miles away. (One pack contains 100,000 pills). "The price I heard was 8 baht, down from 11. It may even fall to 5-6 baht."

IB 65 has long been reported to be the "warehouse for drugs" in the township.

He explained that several members of the ceasefire groups coming from the north had been directed by Rangoon "to close shop" and leave. "Even Wa from northern units are being told to clear out, and many are in need of hard cash to survive the coming hard times which they believe won't last too long."

According to the order from the United Wa State Army, dated 26 March, cultivation of poppy, refining of heroin and manufacture of stimulant tablets, drug abuse and trafficking are strictly prohibited.

"(I)mportant leaders of Wa troops will implement the task by launching propaganda, education programmes and inspection and taking action sector-wise.... After 20th April 2002, the Headquarters will send inspection teams to various departments."

A similar order from Peng Jiasheng, Chairman of the Kokang Administrative Committee, dated 28 March, was also posted by the Myanmar website on 9 April. Both promise punishments ranging from prison terms to death sentences for violators.

The action followed after a "crisis meeting" chaired by Gen Khin Nyunt with 5 ceasefire groups in Lashio on 22 March.

"Although Priscilla Clapp, the head of the US mission in Rangoon, had already stated that Washington had no intentions to name the Wa as a terrorist group, despite the Bangkok Post report on US State Department testimony to the Senate, Rangoon apparently decided to play it wise," commented a ceasefire group commander.

According to the Bangkok Post, 18 March, Rand Beers, Assistant Secretary of State for Drug and Law Enforcement, and Francis Taylor, Ambassador at large had testified separately that Washington considered the UWSA as a terrorist organization. "What really scared the junta into action I think was an American diplomat warning that if Rangoon refused to put the Wa out of drug business, the Americans would do away with the regime."

Update: 30 April

Villagers across the border are continuing to complain about this inability to receive medical treatment for the sick in Laktaeng where there is a charity public clinic run by local people.