Premier vows to fight transnational narcotic networks

BANGKOK, June 23 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced serious and proactive efforts to suppress large-scaled transnational drug cartels. Ahead of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, Gen Prayut presented honorary plaques to people and organizations with outstanding anti-narcotic work. On the same occasion he said it was difficult to eliminate drug trafficking but his government was implementing proactive measures to cope with the problem. It was also rehabilitating addicts and protecting officials and civilians devoting themselves to anti-narcotic efforts, he said. The prime minister said he hoped income distribution, government investment, anti-narcotic projects and public-private partnerships would reduce the degree of narcotic issues in the country. He said that narcotic problems were extremely harmful to society, had economic impacts and caused social inequality. The prime minister said that to successfully fight against narcotics, the government needed cooperation from general people who should help by strengthening their own life and family. (TNA)