(CPOD) Mar. 27, 2003 - Although their government has recently vowed to crackdown on the narcotics trade, many Thais believe senior officials are involved in drug trafficking, according to a poll by ABAC-KSC. 80 per cent of respondents believe that recent killings are the product of involvement of high-ranking civil servants and politicians in drug rings.

Since Feb. 1, when prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra introduced a resilient anti-drug campaign, 1,500 people have been killed. Human rights groups and the United Nations (UN) have expressed their concern over fears that authorities in Thailand may be carrying out summary executions.

The poll comes in the heels of recent reports that Pichit Kulavanich, a general and a member of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's privy council, hinted that an unidentified retired police general—now an adviser to Shinawatra—is involved in drug trafficking. Shinawatra denied the reports on Mar. 17, claiming that there is no record of anyone in his government being involved in illicit activity.

Polling Data

Do you believe the recent killings in the anti-drug campaign are linked to the involvement of high-ranking civil servants and politicians in drug rings?

Yes     80%

Do you believe that an unidentified former police general—as stated in media reports—is involved in the drug trade?

Yes     72%

If senior police officers are found to be operating in the drug trade, are you confident that they would be penalized?

Yes     25%

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