The Government is starting a major anti-drug drive under the “Seal Stop Safe” campaign, aimed at combating narcotics trafficking in 51 border districts of 14 provinces.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra presided over the launching ceremony of the anti-drug operations at Santi Maitri Building, Government House, on 30 January 2025. The Prime Minister stressed the need for close cooperation among relevant officials to effectively control the drug problem along the borders, in line with the Government’s policy of addressing the issue of narcotic drugs decisively and comprehensively.

She pointed out that the drug problem has undermined the potential of Thai people and that, by working together to fight the problem, the potential of the people would be restored. This would help create opportunities for them, so that they would be able to contribute to society. The next step, she said, involved employment generation for further development and building human resources of good quality.

Under the campaign, “seal” refers to the sealing of the country’s borders for drug prevention and suppression; “stop” means to stop the drug trafficking cycle and crime; and “safe” means to ensure that border areas are safe because they are free from drug threats.

The drug situation in border areas remains serious despite joint cooperation with neighboring countries in stemming the cross-border drug smuggling. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board, therefore, issued an announcement to urgently tackle the drug problem in 51 border districts of 14 provinces.

Out of the 51 districts, 21 districts are in six provinces in the North, 25 in seven provinces in the Northeast, and five in one province in the West. The anti-drug campaign will last six months. It began on 1 February will continue until the end of July this year.

The Government believes that the anti-drug operations will also help prevent crime along border areas, such as human trafficking and call center scams, as well as cracking down on burning activities, which lead to PM 2.5 dust pollution.

Drug addicts will also be provided with rehabilitation and vocational skills, so that they will be able to reintegrate into society.