Amphetamine and Methamphetamine Trafficking in Thailand and Suppression Measures in the COVID-19 Context

Abstract

During the pandemic, Thai authorities reported large quantities of drug trafficking from Thailand to various countries by evading detection mechanisms of drug enforcement officers. This research aimed to identify the patterns of amphetamine and methamphetamine trafficking witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand and provide suggestions as to how Thailand can enhance its suppression of such activities. The research was produced through the conduct of 30 in-depth interviews with key informants, who comprised of narcotics officials, policy-makers, senior directors of the Thai Narcotics Control Board, scholars, experts and individuals having direct experience of drug addicts and former prisoners. The sample was selected through purposive sampling and snowballing technique with the aim to understand the novel and adaptive methods being used by cross-border drug traffickers to evade detection. The results revealed that the drug traffickers took advantage of the temporary respite from scrutiny given by the Thai Government and its various agencies to cope up with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the new normal emerging out of the pandemic was seen to have expanded the drug trafficking networks and operation in Thailand. The study's recommendations include establishing a central repository of intelligence, increasing legal capability through new regulations, developing professional skills of law enforcement entities, developing a greater knowledge about trafficking structures and trafficking operations, and consolidating postal and communication and public transportation services to detect the drug trafficking more efficiently.