Thai PM appears on hit list

Thai PM appears on hit list

BANGKOK (Reuter): Thailand's Deputy Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung yesterday said that Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and other senior government officials are on the hit list of some major drug traffickers.

Chalerm, who is overseeing a government campaign against drugs, said the traffickers were angry over losses suffered in the crackdown.

"There are some influential figures involved in drug trafficking who cannot tolerate their loss from the government's campaign against drugs," said Chalerm.

"They plan to hit and harm senior government officials. The prime minister is one of their targets and he (Chavalit) is also well aware of this plot."

Chalerm told reporters he learned about the plot a week ago. "...and I would like to warn these influential figures (drug traffickers) to abort their plans," Chalerm told reporters. He refused to say how he learned about the hit list.

Chalerm is one of Thailand's most outspoken politicians. He has vowed to resign his post if he fails to suppress widespread drug trafficking in Thailand.

The Thai government has declared an all-out war on crime and drugs. Chalerm has been assigned to supervise police efforts in the crackdown.

Three weeks ago Chalerm said dozens of policemen were involved in drug trafficking and he transferred at least 41 police to inactive posts.

Police have shot and killed at least 10 suspected drug traders since the war on drugs was declared less than two months.