The 3rd Army's Drug Prevention and Suppression Centre has destroyed opium poppy fields covering 1,871.5 rai in five northern provinces so far this year, its commander said Thursday.
Soldiers wiped out fields on 2,168 parcels in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Tak and Kamphaeng Phet provinces, Lt Gen Sathit Pitharat.
Speaking at the 3rd Army headquarters in Phitsanulok, Lt Gen Sathit said the destruction of poppy fields was carried out by units of the 3rd Army Corp under the supervision of the Drug Prevention and Suppression Centre, which is based at the 7th Artillery Battalion at Phra Pinklao camp in Chiang Mai's Mae Rim district.
The centre's mission is to reduce areas for poppy cultivation and prevent the spread of heroin and other drugs made from them, he said.
The 3rd Army chief expected this year's poppy cultivation to reduce considerably due to the strong suppression and lengthy drought.
