First Person: Thai police instructor’s “passion” for drug-trafficking SE Asia

The trained police officers are part of a network of law enforcement professionals in Thailand, but also across the region, who cooperate across borders to facilitate trafficking activities by international crime groups.

They are cooperating under the Border Liaison Office (BLO), supported by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Lt Colonel Amonrat Wathanakhosit is based at the Thai Police Training Center Region 5 in northern Thailand.

“I am currently working with trainers at a police checkpoint on Highway 1 approximately 40 kilometers south of the Thai-Myanmar border in northern Thailand. There is a constant flow of traffic to and from the border area, including private and commercial vehicles as well as public transport.

This checkpoint is here to try and slow down the flow of drugs like methamphetamine from Myanmar to the north through Thailand and on to other countries in the region. In this way, this is a work that saves our country from the danger of drugs.

This is a manual job. Students are waiting and searching the cars one by one. They don’t use any technology, but just their knowledge of trafficking and their commitment to serving and protecting their communities.

Police officers conduct security checks at a roadblock in northern Thailand.

Antibiotics

They randomly select drivers to question and then measure the person’s behavior to come to a decision as to whether or not they might be hiding drugs. Little by little these trainees have become more confident and therefore more effective in their jobs and are able to support colleagues from other law enforcement agencies to stop the drugs. Recently, we have had great success in obtaining amphetamine pills.

If drivers suspect that they are under the influence of drugs, then they can also be tested here, after providing a urine sample.

UNODC has supported the training program, which provides trained personnel with practical skills to spot suspicious vehicles and other illegal activities.

The workshop has been very successful, and I think that in the future we can even train workers from neighboring Myanmar and Laos. I think that such cross-border cooperation will allow for joint operations to stop the production and trafficking of drugs.

Individuals suspected of taking drugs can be tested at roadside facilities set up by law enforcement agencies.

Production of methamphetamine is widespread

One of the biggest challenges we face is having enough staff working at these checkpoints to deal with the overproduction of methamphetamine. These workers have other duties and responsibilities and therefore do not use all their interdicting drugs.

However, the training I do with is my inspiration, passion, and energy. It’s not hard work for me. I am grateful to have the continued support of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and UNODC.

My son is 18 years old and he is a university student, and I told him about the bad people I meet in my work and the dangers of drugs, how they can destroy people and society. You understand that my job is trying to stop drugs.”

A policeman asked passengers on a bus traveling from the north of Thailand.