Thailand to host drug meeting

Thailand to host drug meeting

THAILAND: Ministers from China, Laos, India, Myanmar and Thailand will hold talks this week in the northern town of Chiang Rai aimed at eliminating precursor chemicals used in drug production, officials said.

The July 22-25 meeting in Thailand's north, one of the corners of the notorious "Golden Triangle," is the first of its kind and will be attended by the ministers responsible for drug suppression in their countries.

The official said the five countries will explore ways to cooperate to intercept the illegal substances which are also used in legitimate industries.

The ministers will also address crop substitution initiatives for impoverished ethnic minorities who still rely on opium cultivation. --AFP