Myanmar and Thailand Discuss to Resolve Drug Problem

Thailand requested Myanmar to strengthen the crackdown on drug gangs hiding in Myanmar, including three points. Thailand announced that its delegation and officials from Myanmar's Ministry of Home Affairs held discussions to accelerate efforts to resolve the drug problem and strengthen crackdowns on drug manufacturing sites. The Thai delegation, led by former General Paiboon Khunchara, visited Myanmar on July 25 and held discussions with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is known that the Thai delegation included former General Paiboon Khunchara, the Minister of Justice, the Deputy Chief of the Thai National Police, the head of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, and officials from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). Thailand announced that the Thai delegation, led by former General Paiboon Khunchara, met with Union Minister for Home Affairs Lieutenant General Nyi Nyi Swe, Deputy Minister Major General Min Swe, Police Major General Myo Myint Htay, and officials from the Anti-Narcotics Task Force in Nay Pyi Taw on the morning of July 25. Furthermore, in the afternoon, the Thai delegation also held further discussions with Chairman of the National Advisory Council U Soe Win and council members. During the discussions, Thailand requested the apprehension of fugitive Thai drug offenders involved in major drug cases who are hiding in Myanmar, inspection of whether chemical raw materials that can be used in drug manufacturing and are exported from Thailand are being used properly in industrial sectors, and prevention of illegal transportation of chemical raw materials through border routes for drug manufacturing, it was learned. Myanmar also expressed its willingness to cooperate with Thailand's proposals and requested assistance from Thailand to enhance the knowledge and capacity of Myanmar officials in drug suppression matters, Thailand announced. Furthermore, it was reported that they also requested the provision of drug inspection equipment that meets international standards, and at the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to appoint coordinators for information exchange, coordination, and close monitoring, according to the press release. There has been no announcement from the Myanmar government regarding these discussions.