Indonesian arrested in Bangkok

Indonesian arrested in Bangkok

Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (right) inspects a
cache of 140 kilograms of heroin and other drugs in front of
arrested suspects Tjong Leng Oei (center) from Indonesia and his
adopted Thai son Direk Ruangritthi (left) at Bangkok's police
headquarters on Friday.

The prime minister confronted three suspected heroin
traffickers, including the two suspects, on Friday as they were
paraded before the media.

"Do you know we have capital punishment in Thailand?" Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra asked Singaporean suspect Fah Weng
Lan. Fah, 35, did not respond.

Police seized the 140 kilograms heroin in two raids in Bangkok
on Thursday.

The drugs were worth an estimated US$33 million in the United
States and Australia, where police believe the shipments were
headed.

Thaksin's presence at a news conference announcing the bust
was apparently to emphasize the government's seriousness in
combating drug trafficking, which it has declared public enemy
No. 1.

Thailand has executed about 40 drug traffickers since
Thaksin's government took office in February 2001.

Police say they found 105 kilograms (231 pounds) of heroin in
Fah's house after information from the other two suspects,
Indonesian Oei, 54, and Direk, 27. The two were arrested in their
apartment, where police said they confiscated 34.65 kilograms of
heroin.

Police said they also found small amounts of the illicit drugs
methamphetamine and ecstasy. -- AP