AYUTTHAYA - More than 5 tonnes of illegal drugs were incinerated, with state officials and diplomats as witnesses, in a ceremony on Friday to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Most of the drugs that went up in flames, 4.2 tonnes, were methamphetamine pills that no longer needed to be kept as evidence in concluded court cases.
The fiery celebration was organised by the Food and Drug Administration was held at Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya.
Other drugs included 422 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, or ice, 411kg of heroin, 9kg of cocaine, 3kg of ecstasy (15,457 ecstasy pills) and 38kg of opium.
Their estimated value on the streets was 10.9 billion baht.
The Narcotics Suppression Bureau also put 4 tonnes of seized ganja worth 32 million baht into the fire.
The drugs were incinerated at over 850 degrees Celsius, which officals said would ensure there was no air pollution.
Deputy Prime Minister Adm Narong Pipatanasai presided over the destruction. Others present included representatives from the Royal Thai Police, armed forces, drug authorities and diplomatic corps.
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking falls on Sunday, June 26.