Legal Approach to Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering in Thailand (From Resource Material Series No. 65, P 140-155, 2005, Simon Cornell, ed. -- See NCJ-210203)

• NCJ Number: 210212
• Author(s): Krirkkiat Budhasathit
• Date Published: March 2005
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: Japan

Annotation

This article reviews the drug related and money laundering problems in Thailand and the legal framework in place to combat them.

Abstract

Drug abuse and drug smuggling and trafficking have become serious and large scale social problems in Thailand, a country that is often used as a transit place to the international drug market. Special measures taken against drug trafficking are presented and include the legal power to use controlled delivery channels, have access to communication interception, utilize informants, and protect witnesses and their relatives. Thailand’s legal framework to combat drug related criminal activities is outlined and includes an overview of criminal litigation as well as laws pertaining to drug control and offender rehabilitation. The Anti-Money Laundering Act is described, which criminalized money laundering and related conspiracy and established the Financial Intelligence Unit to perform the intelligence functions required by the Act. The specifics of asset forfeiture are discussed and Thailand’s response to the need for international cooperation is considered. Thailand’s policies on extradition, mutual legal assistance, investigative cooperation with neighboring countries, and technical support for intelligence operations are briefly presented.