Police Major Suraya Singhakmon, Secretary-General of the ONCB, revealed during the NBY.S.24 meeting that nationwide statistics show officials in regions 3 and 4 have the highest involvement with drugs. Last month, an undercover investigation arrested a police officer decorated with numerous awards who was involved with the drug network, with assets seized worth several million baht.
At 10:00 a.m. on 26 March 2026, Lieutenant General Weerayut Raksin, Commander of the 2nd Army Area (2nd Army) and Commander of the NBY.S.24 unit responsible for countering drug trafficking, precursor chemicals, and chemicals along the northeastern border, together with Police Major Suraya Singhakmon, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), announced the results of a workshop and summarized key operational outcomes over six months, from October 2025 to March 2026. Awards for outstanding unit performance were presented to 48 company-level units as morale support for the division.
The event was attended by Acting Major Adisak Noisuwan, Governor of Nakhon Phanom Province, security agencies, military, police, and heads of relevant government departments from seven northeastern border provinces: 1. Loei, 2. Nong Khai, 3. Bueng Kan, 4. Nakhon Phanom, 5. Mukdahan, 6. Amnat Charoen, and 7. Ubon Ratchathani, held at Weladee Hotel, Nakhon Phanom Municipality.
Currently, the problem of drug smuggling and drug spread is intensifying continuously. The government and ONCB have designated special urgent areas for drug problem resolution. In the northeast, this includes seven provinces and 25 border districts, with the establishment of NBY.S.24 assigned responsibility. The 2nd Army Area has been designated as the main unit to establish this, with its commander serving as the head of NBY.S.24.
The purpose of this meeting was to enhance cooperation and improve operational efficiency along the border through integrated efforts from all sectors, including interception, suppression, and prevention of drug problems. Reports included interception activities (monitoring, land and water patrols, checkpoints, and logistics business inspections), suppression and prosecution (drug law enforcement in all aspects), and prevention/rehabilitation (community strengthening, public relations, training, and user rehabilitation).
Lieutenant General Weerayut Raksin, Commander of the 2nd Army, stated that the government seriously emphasizes comprehensive drug problem solutions under the 2026 action plan, with the vision “A drug-safe Thai society through new alternative measures toward sustainable solutions.” This covers seven main measures: community strengthening, prevention, suppression, asset seizure, treatment, international cooperation, and efficient management. Urgent border areas in seven provinces and 25 districts have been defined, with the establishment of NBY.S.24 to enhance drug interdiction effectiveness.
Police Major Suraya Singhakmon, Secretary-General of the ONCB, said the situation in NBY.S.24 differs from other areas due to a high spread of drug problems. Regions 3 and 4 have a high level of psychiatric-related violent incidents. An important issue is officials involved in drug networks, ranging from use to trafficking and import-export participation. Last month, ONCB conducted an undercover investigation arresting one police officer from the Region 4 Provincial Police Investigation Unit, who was decorated with numerous awards. This officer misused professional investigative skills for illegal purposes, resulting in asset seizures worth several million baht.
“Nationwide statistics show that officials involved with drugs are most prevalent in regions 3 and 4. I urge supervision of subordinates to uphold good conduct as civil servants, setting an example by using our uniforms to protect society and promote happiness, rather than supporting drug networks that strengthen their operations and harm our country,” said the ONCB Secretary-General.
Regarding proactive drug problem operations, in the past six months or two quarters, over 100 million methamphetamine pills, 7 tons of crystal meth, and 196 kilograms of heroin have been seized, valued at over 4 billion baht. Compared to 2025, methamphetamine arrests increased by 14%, and crystal meth by 183%, reflecting intensified law enforcement and effective cooperation among all sectors to address drug issues concretely.