ASEAN anti-drug centre opened in Bangkok

BANGKOK, September 15 (TNA) - A drug suppression and prevention centre among 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Thailand, has been opened in Bangkok. Located on the fourth floor of the Bangkok-based Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), the ASEAN Narcotics Cooperation Centre (ANCC) was opened on Monday, when heads of anti-narcotics agencies of ASEAN and the 10-member bloc's three dialogue partners, including China, Japan and South Korea, held a meeting, chaired by new Thai Justice Minister General Paiboon Khoomchaya. General Paiboon then said that the ANCC would help information exchange among ASEAN member countries faster. General Paiboon acknowledged that the formation of the ASEAN Community (AC) by the end of 2015 requires all ASEAN member countries to map out measures against drugs. According to the justice minister, new Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha plans to visit Myanmar soon to confer with Myanmar authorities on ways to jointly fight against drugs. Meanwhile, ONCB Secretary-General Permpong Chavalit cautioned that drug problems could become worsen after the formation of the AC, suggesting anti-drug officials to, thus, work harder, along with implementing a joint strategy among member countries in order to make “ASEAN free from drugs” in the future.(TNA)