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this throws in the way of detection of the illicit sale of opium, if it is carried out in places in the occupation of persons not amenable to Siamese jurisdiction. Such places cannot be raided or searched without a Consular warrant, and the trouble and time involved in obtaining the requisite document is too well known to require further comment. It is sufficient to say that the delay in many cases enables the illicit dealer to remove all traces of his misdemeanour. The stricter the control becomes, the more will persons desirous of committing offences against the Opium Law, endeavour to shelter themselves behind the protection afforded by Foreign Consular jurisdiction.
67. The three reasons, therefore, which at present deter this Government from putting into force at once the only measure by which the eventual suppression of opium smoking can be attained, viz., the registration of smokers, are all due to causes beyond their control. These are:-
(A) Financial :-the inability to raise the requisite revenue to cover the deficit which will result from the initiation of the system of registration of
smokers.
(B) External:—the smuggling of opium from other countries.
(0) Internal -the want of control over the illicit sale of opium by
certain foreign subjects, due to extra-territorial jurisdiction.
BANGKOK, 14th February, 1921
:
ANNEXE I.
TRANSLATION OF HIS MAJESTY'S SPEECH FROM THE THRONE
ON 21st. SEPTEMBER 1908, ON THE OPIUM QUESTION.
There remains yet another matter which has been occupying Our
thoughts for a long time past, it is that of opium. It is unquestionable that the
drug has evil effects upon its consumers; and casts degradation upon every
country where the inhabitants are largely addicted to the habit of opium
smoking. There is no reason to doubt that the most earnest desire of nearly
every country in the world is to suppress this noxious habit among its population.
But unfortunately there are many obstacles in the way of the attainment of this
object. Briefly speaking there is the considerable shrinkage in the States'
Revenues to be faced, then there is the difficulty of compelling people already
addicted to the use of the drug to throw off the habit at once of their own will.
Even prohibited, it is not to be expected that such persons will refrain from seek- ing surreptitious means to gratify their craving for opium, and therefore if the Government, unable to execute measures whereby surreptitious traffic and consumption of the drug can be effectively prevented, were to attempt the sup- pression of the opium habit, it would only be a considerable loss of revenue to the State without any adequate realisation of its good intentions. It is this great hindrance to the proper attainment of their object that has prevented Governments from immediately suppressing the vice. Notwithstanding these great obstacles which We see standing in Our way, it is nevertheless Our
bounden duty not to neglect Our people and allow them to become more and
more demoralised by indulgence in this noxious drug. We have carefully con-
sidered the subject and find that ways of carrying out Our great desire are not
altogether wanting; and We have accordingly decided upon executing special
measures in the administration of the Opium Monopoly whereby the spread of
the opium habit among Our people shall become gradually lessened until it shall be entirely suppressed.
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