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.