Kratom bust in Thailand

[radiometer]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/29Dec2006_news06.php


Kratom plantation raided, trees destroyed

POST REPORTERS

Phatthalung _ Authorities yesterday raided a plantation of kratom trees whose leaves are classed as an illegal narcotic substance. Kratom, traditionally used as a stimulant, is said to be widely abused by young militants in the restive South.

More than 1,000 kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) trees were destroyed in the raid on a four-rai plot of land in tambon Klong Chaloem, Kong Ra district, Narcotics Suppression Bureau deputy chief Surajet Thamrong said.

The raid was a joint operation involving a regional anti-drugs centre, border patrol police, border defence volunteers and a special district task force.

Pol Col Surajet said some drug dealers were smuggling in kratom leaves for sale to young people in the deep South.

Separatists groups encouraged their young fighters to take kratom to boost their courage and stamina before launching attacks, he said.

A highly-placed source in the NSB said kratom leaves sold in the region were largely collected in the wild by forest poachers who sold them to dealers.

In Pattani province, a kamnan in Panare district, was killed in a drive-by shooting yesterday.

In Yala, Thailand Knowledge Park yesterday opened a regional edutainment complex at the municipal youth centre.

[panchovilla]

That is an interesting article. Kratom can sometimes certainly help one accomplish more during work.

[snapper]

I wanna take some kratom, go to the Yala edutainment complex and catch a laser light show with the municipal youth !
On a more serious note, SWIM wonders how long it takes for these trees to grow back. Theoretically the Thai gov't could cause an extinction if they really got into eradicating trees...

[Alfa]

That would be hard to do. Kratom is everywhere. On the other hand the Thai are pretty extreme in their anti drug actions.