PHOTO / WORLD
Thailand destroys over 20 tons of narcotics on anti-drug day
By Xinhua Published: Jun 27, 2024 08:19 AM
A police officer stands guard in front of the illegal drugs to be burned at Bang Pu in Thailand's Samut Prakan Province, June 26, 2024. Thailand burned more than 20 tons of confiscated narcotic drugs worth 6.45 billion baht (about 175 million U.S. dollars) on Wednesday to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, authorities said.(Photo: Xinhua)

A police officer stands guard in front of the illegal drugs to be burned at Bang Pu in Thailand's Samut Prakan Province, June 26, 2024. Thailand burned more than 20 tons of confiscated narcotic drugs worth 6.45 billion baht (about 175 million U.S. dollars) on Wednesday to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, authorities said.(Photo: Xinhua)


 
A police officer stands guard in front of the illegal drugs to be burned at Bang Pu in Thailand's Samut Prakan Province, June 26, 2024. Thailand burned more than 20 tons of confiscated narcotic drugs worth 6.45 billion baht (about 175 million U.S. dollars) on Wednesday to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, authorities said.(Photo: Xinhua)

A police officer stands guard in front of the illegal drugs to be burned at Bang Pu in Thailand's Samut Prakan Province, June 26, 2024. Thailand burned more than 20 tons of confiscated narcotic drugs worth 6.45 billion baht (about 175 million U.S. dollars) on Wednesday to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, authorities said.(Photo: Xinhua)


 
A police officer stands guard in front of the illegal drugs to be burned at Bang Pu in Thailand's Samut Prakan Province, June 26, 2024. Thailand burned more than 20 tons of confiscated narcotic drugs worth 6.45 billion baht (about 175 million U.S. dollars) on Wednesday to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, authorities said.(Photo: Xinhua)

A police officer stands guard in front of the illegal drugs to be burned at Bang Pu in Thailand's Samut Prakan Province, June 26, 2024. Thailand burned more than 20 tons of confiscated narcotic drugs worth 6.45 billion baht (about 175 million U.S. dollars) on Wednesday to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, authorities said.(Photo: Xinhua)


 
Thailand burned more than 20 tons of confiscated narcotic drugs worth 6.45 billion baht (about 175 million U.S. dollars) on Wednesday to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, authorities said.

The destroyed illicit drugs, seized from 41,800 cases and primarily consisting of methamphetamine, were part of the Southeast Asian country's comprehensive strategy, encompassing prevention, suppression and rehabilitation measures, said Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin.

The Thai government has recognized the devastating impact of drug abuse and has placed its eradication at the forefront of the national agenda, Somsak said in a statement, emphasizing collaboration among all sectors to tackle drug-related issues.

Public health officials will continue to provide effective treatment and rehabilitation services for people with an addiction, as well as help dismantle drug networks to foster a drug-free environment, he added.

According to the ministry, the operation marked the second large-scale drug destruction exercise in the fiscal year 2024, following the massive 340-ton incineration in December 2023.