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