Publications and Activities

Report
of
The Seventh Thailand-Myanmar Meeting on Drug Law Enforcement Cooperation
on 14 December 2002
at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel
Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
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The Seventh Thailand-Myanmar Meeting on Drug Law Enforcement Cooperation was held on 13-14 December 2002. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) hosted the Meeting. Mr. Kitti Limchaikit, Secretary-General of Narcotics Control Board of Thailand, chaired the Meeting. The meeting was divided into 2 levels. The operational level meeting was taken place on 13 December 2002 and the Senior Level Meeting was on 14 December 2002.

Police Major General Khin Yi, Director-General of Myanmar Police Force and Secretary of the Central Committee for Drugs Abuse Control (CCDAC), led the Myanmar delegation. Mr. Kitti Limchaikit, Secreatry-General of Narcotics Control Board of Thailand, led the Thai delegation.

Participation were high level and executive representatives from agencies concerned of Myanmar, Thailand and United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP). The list of delegates and participants from both countries appears as Annex 1.

Agenda Item 1: Opening ceremony
The Governor of Chiang Mai Province gave welcoming speech followed by Mr. Kitti Limchaikit, leader of Thai Delegation and Police Major General Khin Yi, leader of Myanmar Delegation gave opening statements. The full texts of their opening statements of the Delegation leaders are attached as Annex 2 and 3.

Agenda Item 2 : Adoption of Agenda
Both sides agreed to the tentative agenda and proceeded discussions according to the agenda. Agenda is attached as Annex 4.

Agenda Item 3 : Progress report of current drug situation in Thailand and Myanmar
Mr. Chartchai Sithiklom, Deputy Secretary-General of Narcotics Control Board of Thailand presented the current drug situation in Thailand particularly highlighting the prevailing situation throughout the country and also at the border areas, trend of drug situation as well as statistics of drug seizures. The detailed information of current situation in Thailand is attached as Annex 5.
Pol.Col.Hkam Awng, Joint Secretary of CCDAC briefed the drug situation including national plan for eradicating the opium plantation and the control of drug epidemic in Myanmar. The detailed information of his presentation is attached as Annex 6.

Agenda Item 4 : Review and follow up the implementation and activities according to the resolution of the previous meeting and report of operational level meeting.

Operational Level Meeting of the Seventh Thailand - Myanmar Meeting on Drug Law Enforcement Cooperation was held on 13 December 2002. Mr. Sukhum Opasniputh, Executive Director of Narcotics Law enforcement Bureau, ONCB headed Thai delegation, chairman and Pol.Col. Tin Maung Htay, Director of Drug Law Enforcement, CCDAC headed Myanmar delegation, co-chairman

Mr.Sukhum Opasniputh presented results of the Operational Level Meeting. The following items, which were discussed during the Operational Level Meeting, were reported to the meeting.
        1. Report of current drug situation of Thai border by Ms. Siriporn Wanaviriya, Director of Suppression Division 1, Narcotics Law Enforcement Bureau, ONCB
        2. Report of current drug situation of Myanamr border by Pol. Col. Tin Maung Htay, Director of Drug Enforcement, CCDAC presented situation of Myanmar.
        3. Follow up the requested cases for further investigation and exchange of target group's information.
             3.1 Achieved cooperation
             3.2 Information provided by Thailand to Myanmar to further the investigation.
             3.3 Problem and obstacle
             3.4 Border cooperation. For higher effectiveness, Border Liaison Offices of Thailand and Myanmar will be the first contact points and ONCB and CCDAC will contact each other thereafter.

Mr. Sukhum Opasniputh presented Mae Kong River survey that resulted from Thailand-Myanmar-Lao PDR. and China. Presently China gives information that the river water level is unsuitable for the trip, therefore, the trip is expected to be in mid 2003.

Agenda Item 5 : Other matters
5.1 The progress report of the implementation under the technical assistance on crop replacement and alternative development project at Yong Kha Village
Mr. Pithaya Jinawat, Executive Director, Northern Narcotics Control Office, ONCB presented Yong Kha Village Development Project of Thailand reported the implementation under the project that ONCB was the focal point for coordinating. The project was resulted from agreement between Pol.Lt.Col.Dr. Thaksin Chinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand and Myanmar Secretary 1 of State Peace and Development Council Lt.Gen. Khin Nyunt in 2001. The project aims to develop of the village to prevent drugs involvement. Doi Tung Development Project is the implementing agency and provides technical knowledge on highland agricultural. The project is very appreciated by Wa.

5.2 Result of drug impurity profiling and signature analysis
Mr. Sukhum Opasniputh presented result of drug impurity profiling and signature analysis done at ONCB that received support from Myanmar. Presently Thailand and Myanmar is engaging in Regional project in drug impurity profiling and signature analysis supported by Government of Japan. The project also includes Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. Analysis result of drug evident sample from Andaman case and samples supported by Myanmar confirms intelligence of Kokang production group. It also indicates that many drug seizures in Thailand came from this group.

5.3 Nomination of person/delegation of Myanmar and Thailand for the minutes of the Seventh Thailand - Myanmar Meeting on Drug Law Enforcement Cooperation.
Head of Myanmar delegation nominated Pol.Cap.Tin Aung, Office of CCDAC and head of Thai delegation nominated Ms. Rachanikorn Sarasiri, Acting Director, Foreign Affairs Division, ONCB.

Agenda Item 6 : Discussion for timing and venue for the next meeting.
Myanmar will host the Eighth Thailand - Myanmar Meeting on Drug Law Enforcement Cooperation in June 2003 at Mandalay, Myanmar.

Agenda Item 7 : Closing Ceremony
Head of Myanmar delegation gave closing statement appreciating Thailand for the meeting organisation and assured Thailand that Myanmar will take action on trafficking routes informed by Thailand, Myanmar gives high priority on international cooperation and Myanmar wish to be inform of enforcement intelligence such as drug producing site and will take action effectively. Head of Thai delegation gave closing statement appreciating Myanmar for continuous cooperation and support and stressed that sincerity is important factor for successful cooperation.