TNAG-0414-FCO40-460-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 174

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ported to exist among some police officials in Thailand, including the Border Patrol Police, there is a likelihood that a quantity of opiates are driven across the bridge in official Government vehicles.

Narcotics are also reported to be smuggled into Thailand by air. There is an unknown number of privately owned short takeoff or landing (STOL) aircraft which can take off and land from un- prepared strips anywhere in the country. Until an effective aircraft monitoring system is developed, opium and heroin will move into the country and get into the international narcotics network.

It is not known how much opium is moved into Thailand by this method. It could be considerable.

There is no effort to interdict illicit transportation of narcotics by commercial aircraft in Thailand. There are numerous scheduled inter- nal flights between cities in the north and Bangkok and other points in Thailand. There is no in-country inspection system and it is possible to carry quantities of opium or heroin aboard aircraft without being detected. As one BNDD agent put it, "Nobody is searched. Why go by truck if you can go free by air?"

Opium and its derivatives are transshipped through Thailand— usually through Bangkok-by trawlers and commercial aircraft to Hong Kong, Singapore, and other points.

Until recently, it was thought that the trawlers dropped their illegal cargo near the Lima Islands in Communist Chinese waters. According to BNDD and Customs officials, this is not the case. The trawlers actu- ally drop the opiates in international waters where they are fished out of the water and taken to Hong Kong by the many junks and other vessels that operate in the waters around Hong Kong.

This trawler activity is of special concern to United States and Thai authorities.

Much opium also enters Thailand by mule caravans escorted by remnants of the 3d and 5th Kuomingtang (KMT) Armies which were driven out of China in 1949. Now referred to as Chinese Irregular Forces (CIF), these forces under the command of Generals Li ́and Tuan have operated in southern Burma and northern Thailand for over two decades.

EFFORTS TO RESETTLE THE CHINESE IRREGULAR FORCES

In its efforts to control narcotics traffic, the Thai Government has initiated a resettlement program for the Chinese Irregular Forces. In return for land to settle on and potential Thai citizenship, the CIF's agreed to turn over all of their opium stocks.

This agreement was made between the Government of Thailand and Generals Li and Tuan, commanders of the respective Chinese forces, with the concurrence and support of the United States.

BNDD agreed to help finance the Thai Government resettlement project by turning over 20.8 million baht (almost $1 million) to the Thais who in turn contributed 17 million baht (about $850,000) in Thai Government funds. In connection with this, the Agency for International Development transferred $1 million to BNDD.

Subsequently, 26 tons of opium were turned over to the Thai Govern- ment by Generals Li and Tuan. On March 7, 1972, Thai officials burned the 26 tons of opium.