Three-month war on drugs launched

The war on drugs is scheduled for November to January.

In his speech, Somchai encouraged authorities to devote their full attention to fighting drug trafficking although he cautioned them that his government will not condone silence killings, which had cast a shadow over the 2003 campaign against illicit drugs.

Thaksin launched his war on drugs in 2003. Human rights groups have said that at least 2,500 people were killed in extrajudicial killings during the campaign.

Somchai, however, said Thaksin was not responsible for the deaths.

"In fact, those people had committed wrongdoings. They were not extrajudicial killings by police. They were killed by drug dealers," he said, repeating the government line at the time.

The fight against traffickers will strictly follow prescribed legal procedure, he assured.

He also called for stepping up the awareness campaign so that young people realise the harmful effects of drug abuse.