Interior Minister and acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has declared a nationwide campaign to combat drugs, crime syndicates, and mafia-style figures, calling the narcotics crisis a serious threat to national security.
On his first official day in office at the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Phumtham addressed senior ministry officials and provincial governors, outlining key priorities and policy directions aimed at restoring public trust and safety.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s central role in implementing policy and addressing local issues across all levels of administration.
“The Ministry of Interior plays a crucial role in Thailand’s governance framework, from the provincial to the district level, in implementing policy and addressing grassroots problems,” he said.
Calling for unity within the ministry, Mr. Phumtham used a metaphor to reject internal divisions.
“Here, there are no black, red, white, green, gold, or blue lions. There is only the lion of the Interior,” he said, a reference to political factionalism often associated with different coloured “lion” groups within the ministry.
He stressed the urgency of action and said he expects to see clear progress within his first three months. Officers who fail to act, whether due to nearing retirement or other reasons, would not be acceptable under his leadership.
One of his main initiatives is to expand the “Seal Stop Safe” drug-suppression programme, currently operating in 14 provinces, to cover the entire country. The move aims to reinforce efforts to disrupt drug networks and restore public confidence.
“People are running out of patience with the drug crisis. Every villager knows who the drug dealers are, and who collude with civil servants. Villagers say district chiefs and local police commanders don’t know this, and they ask me if the government is toughening up,” he said.
To address the issue, Mr. Phumtham said the Interior Ministry will coordinate closely with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, the police, and the military. A high-level meeting is scheduled for July 14 to establish a unified, integrated response.
He also pointed to growing efforts to trace and dismantle the financial networks linked to organised crime, including the use of so-called mule accounts. Authorities have begun investigating these channels in connection with mafia-style groups and transnational criminal operations.
The Anti-Money Laundering Office is playing a key role in this process, tracking suspicious financial flows and preparing to publicly identify individuals involved in these networks.
Positioning the Interior Ministry as a driving force in national stability, Mr. Phumtham said, “The people’s stability is security in all dimensions, not just those involving the military or police.”
