Bangkok (VNA)ꦰ - Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 20 launched the campaign “No Drugs, No Dealers: Toward Zero Drugs Thailand”, calling for comprehensive coordination to address the country’s serious drug problem.

At the Regional Police 5 headquarters in Chiang Mai province, Phumtham chaired a meeting with relevant ministries and agencies to discuss policy and oversee drug prevention and suppression efforts in northern Thailand. He stressed that illegal drugs remain a serious national threat, causing family disruption and social instability, and affirmed that drug suppression is a national-level agenda requiring close cooperation between the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of National Defence, police, and local authorities. The campaign will strengthen the use of technology across agencies, including five mobile X-ray vehicles for drug detection, approved under former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Phumtham pledged to enhance monitoring at entertainment venues and among influencers, while mobilising provincial governors, district chiefs, and community volunteers. The Thai government also encourages coordination with the Ministry of Health to expand treatment and rehabilitation programmes for drug users. According to Major General Thanarat Chumsawat, Deputy Commander of Regional Police 5, in the ten months leading up to August 2025, Thai authorities seized 222 million methamphetamine pills, 11,462 kg of crystal meth, 1,842 kg of ketamine, nearly 200 kg of heroin, and 155 kg of opium. A total of 22,467 drug-related cases were prosecuted, over 20,000 suspects were arrested, and 984 arrest warrants were issued against organised drug trafficking and money laundering networks. Across the country, Thailand also apprehended 16,800 drug dealers, while more than 140,000 individuals participated in rehabilitation programmes./.