The government plans to allocate the 2027 budget to establish district-level drug rehabilitation centers in the southern border provinces. The Prime Minister has emphasized that these centers must be designed to suit local conditions. The drug epidemic situation remains concerning, with an increase in youth methamphetamine use.
18 April 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that addressing drug problems remains a key priority that Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul continues to emphasize. Following a field visit to meet with relevant agencies at the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) in Yala Province and the Internal Security Operations Command, Region 4 Front in Pattani Province yesterday (17 April), there was an extended in-depth discussion on this issue.
Ms. Ratchada further disclosed that although enforcement efforts have progressed, with a significant increase in arrests of drug dealers in the area, the epidemic situation remains worrisome, especially among youth. There has been a notable rise in methamphetamine use, particularly among teenage girls, whose usage rate has doubled, with some users potentially developing into small-scale dealers. Feedback from local residents calls for drug rehabilitation centers close to communities, capable of providing continuous care and having effective referral systems for long-term treatment, to reduce escape and relapse rates.
The government spokesperson added, the Prime Minister has affirmed that establishing quality district-level drug rehabilitation centers will definitely happen under government policy, with the 2027 budget plan already prepared. He stressed that drug problem solutions in the southern border provinces must be tailored to the area's context, integrating collaboration among families, religious institutions, schools, local administrative organizations, and security agencies.
Ms. Ratchada concluded, the government clearly states that “drug abuse is a serious threat that must be urgently addressed” through both enforcement and rehabilitation measures, to ensure safety and improve quality of life for people in all areas.