CHIANG MAI – Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has put the country’s anti-drug efforts at the top of the national agenda. On August 20, 2025, during an official visit to Wing 41 in Chiang Mai, Phumtham launched the “No Drugs, No Dealers: Toward Zero Drugs Thailand” drive.
This wide-reaching campaign focuses on halting the sharp rise in drug activity, especially in northern provinces like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Running from October 1, 2024, to August 18, 2025, the campaign has already reported substantial results.
Authorities have seized vast amounts of drugs and detained thousands of suspects. This move highlights the government’s determination to take direct action against drug trafficking, using modern technology, closer cooperation between agencies, and watchful communities.
Phumtham, in his role as Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, spoke about the need to tackle Thailand’s drug crisis straight away. At Wing 41, he addressed police, community representatives, and journalists, asking for all areas of society to pull together.
He called the drug problem a national emergency affecting families, youth, and the country’s future. Phumtham asked everyone to support the “No Drugs, No Dealers: Toward Zero Drugs Thailand” campaign, saying every person needed to help clear this danger from their lives.
Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, close to the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet, are well-known for drug smuggling routes.
Their location and challenging geography make them the main entry points for methamphetamine, crystal meth, heroin, ketamine, and opium from Myanmar’s Shan State. Launching the campaign in Chiang Mai signals the government’s effort to disrupt these routes at their origin.
Significant Drug Seizures and Arrests
In the campaign’s first ten months, officials have confiscated huge amounts of drugs. Pol Maj Gen Thanarat Chumsawat, Police Region 5’s deputy commander, reported that between October 1, 2024, and August 18, 2025, the authorities seized 222 million methamphetamine pills, 11,462 kilograms of crystal meth, 1,842 kilograms of ketamine, almost 200 kilograms of heroin, and 155 kilograms of opium.
These numbers show a sharp increase in enforcement. Drug seizures in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son saw a 172 percent rise for methamphetamine pills and a 39 percent increase for crystal meth compared to the full year of 2023.
Police have opened 22,467 drug-related investigations, leading to the arrest of over 20,000 suspects. Officers carried out 984 arrest warrants, going after not just small-scale dealers but also networks involved in conspiracy and money laundering.
At a press event at Provincial Police Region 5, Phumtham thanked the police for their hard work. However, he said statistics are only part of the story. He wants people to feel safe in their towns and cities again.
Technology is a key part of the “No Drugs, No Dealers” campaign. The government has introduced five new mobile X-ray drug detection units, passed down from the previous Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s term, and more are on the way.
These units help in spotting drugs hidden in vehicles, shipping containers, and home deliveries. According to Phumtham, these advances help officials keep ahead of traffickers who constantly change their methods.
Helping Drug Addicts
Beyond technology, community involvement is front and centre. Phumtham has urged provincial leaders, local authorities, and volunteers to watch for suspicious actions, such as unusual behaviour in nightlife venues or those suspected of helping the drug trade.
He calls this campaign more than a police job, describing it as a national effort where every citizen can help keep their area free from drugs.
While cracking down on drugs is important, Phumtham has made it clear that helping those affected is also a priority. The government, alongside the Public Health Ministry, is working to expand treatment programmes for people struggling with drug use.
More than 140,000 people across the country have entered rehabilitation, and police have arrested 16,800 named traffickers. About 4,000 are still being sought. Phumtham stressed that the aim is not only to punish but also to support those who want to change, saying drug users should be offered treatment and a chance to rebuild their lives instead of just facing jail.
This marked shift in focus moves away from past drug crackdowns, which drew criticism for harsh methods and reported human rights abuses. For example, the 2003 campaign under then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra resulted in over 2,000 deaths, many never fully explained. The current approach aims to protect people, restore trust, and offer genuine help alongside strong law enforcement.
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