Thai PM calls for offensive against drug suppression

BANGKOK, Feb 4 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday ordered the military, provincial governors and police to launch offensive drug crackdowns, in a bid to reduce drug addicts in the country by 80 per cent within a year. Addressing a meeting with provincial governors, as well as representatives of the Thai military, the Royal Thai Police and local anti-drug agencies, Yingluck said solving drug problems is now the national agenda, in which people hope that its solutions will be made by the government; thus, the concerned parties need to collaboratively launch offensive drives against narcotics for the sake of people's happiness and reduced violence in the country. The Thai premier acknowledged, although the situation has improved over the past four months, some entertainment complexes are still violating the laws. Meanwhile, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Director-General Tharit Pengdit affirmed that authorities' telephone eavesdropping on inmates suspected of conducting drug dealings from inside their prison is possible upon permissions granted by the Thai court. (TNA)