ASEAN countries expressed their strong determination to overcome drug problems by announcing the ASEAN Declaration of Principles to Combat the Abuse of Narcotic Drugs in June 1976. During the initial period, the ASEAN collaboration in drug control was just that the ASEAN countries met together and worked out resolutions with on constructive projects and activities. ASEAN cooperation became more concrete when ASEAN Narcotic Desk was established in 1982. Police Lieutenant Colonel Chakthep Anmesbutra, (former) Director of Narcotics Law Enforcement Division, ONCB, was appointed to be the first Narcotics Desk Officer (NDO) members. By coordinating on narcotic matters, NDO had worked with all members’ countries as to design pertinent ASEAN anti-drugs programmes. Many beneficial projects had been initiated and settled by NDO. In addition, the meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on Drug Matters (ASOD) is held annually for deliberations on various measures to combat drug problem in the ASEAN region, consider the proposed drug-related projects of member countries and seek funds to support the projects. In 1990, there was a restructuring of the ASEAN Secretariat; therefore, NDO had been reorganized and renamed to the Assistant-Director V. Because of her expertise and experiences in narcotics law enforcement, Thailand has been designated by ASEAN countries as the ASEAN narcotics law enforcement training centre. Numbers of ASEAN narcotics law enforcement training course had been held as follows: ASEAN Law Enforcement Training Course (1980 – 1984), ASEAN Law Enforcement Training Course, phase II (1985 – 1989), ASEAN Narcotics Enforcement Workshop and Training Course (1989 – 1991).

Apart from the ASOD, drug control issue was integrated into other ASEAN fora, the cooperation was implemented under the framework of ASEAN Senior Officials on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) since narcotic drugs is one of area of cooperation. Thailand is the lead shepherd for drugs issue.

Besides, Thailand – ASEAN cooperation on drugs also comply under ACCORD (ASEAN and China Cooperative Operations in Response to Dangerous Drugs) umbrella.