JAKARTA, Jan. 9 (IslamOnline) - Thai authorities said Wednesday, January 9, that opium poppy growing in the Golden Triangle (Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos) was expected to increase.
The local army said the increase is inevitable, considering the fact that Afghanistan is being forced to give up almost all of its production.
The war in Afghanistan and the collapse of the ruling Taliban regime resulted in a drastic decline in opium supply from the world's once largest opium-producing country, the military said.
Commander of the Third Army, Lt.-Gen. Udomchai Ongakasing, said the army was on the offensive to wipe out cultivation of opium poppies, which were used to make heroin.
He said the Golden Triangle drug lords had ordered highlanders to grow more poppies to fill the gap in global demand created by the new situation in Afghanistan.
The drop in supply has raised the price of opium and the Golden Triangle is now seen as the major production base to take over from Afghanistan.
Vast areas opposite Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son in Thailand are to be cleared for poppy plantations.
Drug dealers are investing more in poppy growing to cash in on rising opium prices. Highlanders, discovered the army, are growing poppies out-of-season with the aid of water sprinklers to boost production.
Lt.-Gen. Udomchai said it was possible that producers of methamphetamine pills would switch to opium cultivation.
The Taliban had in fact banned opium production in 1999, reducing the production of opium in the country.
There has been fears in southeast Asia that Afghanistan would be back in the limelight of opium production under the current government composed of warlords who are well known for their past involvement in drug business.
