៥៥
62.
With regard to the future, when registration is put into force in this country, if the measures are as effective as it is hoped they will be, smug. gling out should practically cease whatever conditions exist in other countries. On the other hand, smuggling in is very likely to take place, for the use of persons who do not present themselves for registration, being those who at the present time, are unwilling to enter opium shops, and who indulge, as far as possible in illicit smoking For an improvement in this state of affairs, Siam can only look to the earnest co-operation of neighbouring countries and to their taking measures similar to those adopted here. The question is complicated by the proximity of the British Shan States, where the cultivation of the poppy is still allowed, and from which some smuggling takes place into Northern Siam. The matter is under correspondence with the Government of Burma, which has undertaken to co-operate in any measures adopted by the Siamese Government to prevent the import of opium into Siam from those States
63.
Annexe IV show the quantities of opium siezed by the customs at
the port of Bangkok, both inwards and outwards. While it cannot, of course, be claimed that all contraband opium is detected, the returns of detection always serve as a fair indication of the relative amount going out or coming in,
year by year.
THE OPIUM LAW, B. E. 2464.
64. An English translation of the law and of the Ministerial Regulations issued thereunder is appended hereto (Annexe VI).
65
The meaning and intention of many of the sections have already been gone into, especially in explanation of the system of retail which will be enforced when all smokers have been registered. Vide paras. 25-41. A few further comments may be made on other points dealt with in the law :-
Section 12 At first sight, on reading this section, it may appear some- what unreasonable that a home smoker should be compelled to consume the whole his daily dose. It might be thought perhaps that, by smoking less, be is trying to lessen his daily consumption. It however, necessary to be strict in this matter, because, although great care is taken to allow special smoking (i. e.. licensed for home smoking) mainly to persons of good standing, it has
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sometimes occurred that such licenses have been granted to persons who have
re-sold the opium to others.
If a home smoker is found with a greater amount than his license and pass book should show, it is clear, either that he has bought illicit opium for his own consumption or that he does not smoke the whole of his allowance, and in both cases the presumption is that be is keeping the surplus for illicit sale.
On the other hand, if he is found with less than his proper amount, it. would appear that he has either sold the deficit or has smoked more than his daily allowance. Whatever the reason may be, he is liable, in respect of the excess
or shortage, to the penalty prescribed in Section 43.
If a home smoker finds that he can do with less than his allowance, he can follow the course prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations, Clause 7, which provides him with an opportunity for having his license amended by the reduction give every oppor- of his daily allowarce. Officials are especially enjoined to tunity to holders of smoking licenses to make such application."
C
Section 32 (c). This provides for the cessation of registration of new smokers after a certain date, with the exception of immigrants already addicted to the habit. To refuse to register such persons might interfere with the develop- ment of the country, as immigrant Chinese coolies form a large proportion of the labouring class. If, for instance, immigrant Chinese who are opium smokers were not allowed to indulge in the drug in the Province of Puket, the tin mining industry might be completely dislocated, as practically 50 per cent of the tin mining coolies smoke opium.
Section 35. This section provides that, in the event of the continued illicit cultivation of the opium poppy in any village the whole population may be punished. It will be observed, however, that this will only be done after due official notice. Collective punishment appears to be the only means of dealing with the matter.
CONCLUSION.
66. Reference has already been made (para. 25) to the subject of the extra-territorial rights of persous under foreign jurisdiction, and the difficulties
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