Chasing violence across borders
The Bangkokpost (07-01-02)
More than ever, it is clear that nations must think locally but also act globally to make their citizens secure. The mafias began to look outward decades ago, realising that crossing borders gave them an advantage against nations. Terrorists also have their fights abroad, often using different countries in different parts of the world for planning, training and sanctuary. Governments are behind the criminals, and must hurry to catch up.
Two events of the past week showed the need to increase international efforts. They involved the two most serious problems faced by Thailand and the world. The first was the government's attempt to revive its moribund war on drugs, the worst threat to Thailand. The second was the Thai version of the problem now rivetting the most attention of security experts: international terrorism.
Thai authorities finally have seen that Burma is unwilling to act against the drug traffickers who threaten to addict our youth and corrupt our democracy. The government has properly launched an attack on the finances of the leading drug trafficker. The Money Laundering Commission seized cash, homes, businesses and other assets of Wei Hsueh-kang.
Wei is the head of the United Wa State Army, the official name of his drug cartel. He has been an opium and heroin dealer since the 1980s. He was convicted of heroin dealing in a Thai court, but escaped before the death sentence was passed. In the1990s, Wei and his gang discovered methamphetamines, and began marketing the drug in Thailand, where it has caused immeasurable suffering.
The tentacles of the Wei gang spread around the world. He is wanted in America for smuggling 680kg of heroin and has a $2 million reward on his head. After Thailand seized 100 million baht of Wei assets last month, authorities have opened new lines to US drug agents. William Snites, the representative of the US Drug Enforcement Administration in Thailand, has joined Pol Col Pheerapan Premaputi, secretary-general of the Money Laundering Commission, to trace and seize Wei's assets wherever they can be found. The two should talk with China and India, if they have not already done so. Wei operates across borders in those countries. It is another, international effort against transnational criminals. Similar, new lines of communication are opening in another serious international crime that threatens everyone: terrorism.
Last week, anti-terrorism officials opened new talks with Malaysia over the renewed terrorist attacks in the South. Although Malaysia has worked closely with Thai authorities in recent years, there is vast room for better and more practical co-operation.
In the past year, a small handful of self-described separatists have indulged in armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, bombings and murder. They have tried to claim they are southern nationalists, and have tried to exploit their religion. It won't wash. But the nearby Malaysian border has provided the bandits with a sort of sanctuary. Without active help and close co-ordination, Thai and Malaysian authorities find it almost impossible to track and arrest the terrorists.
Thai police found a ringleader of one of the southern gangs in November. Stopped at a checkpoint, Madaree Jaehae tried to run, and was shot dead. Last month, members of his gang almost certainly were responsible for attacks on police outposts in the South. Five policemen and a civil defence volunteer were killed.
Our authorities have the duty to protect citizens from domestic and international threats. They cannot accomplish this alone. Burma may not help, but the international community can co-operate better to oppose terrorists, drug traffickers and other international criminals.