With crop densities much lower in Laos and Thailand than in Afghanistan, crop-substitution programs have proved to be far more effective in this area for lowering opium poppy cultivation. Nowadays you're more likely to find small plantations of tea, peach trees and even asparagus springing up in the heart of the "Golden Triangle" than fields of poppies. With Laos declaring itself Poppy-Free in february, this now leaves military-ruled Myanmar (aka Burma) as the single active opium producer in the region.

Posted by Ayatollah Jones at 07:38 AM | Permalink

China has vowed to strengthen its support for anti-drug operations in Laos following the South East Asian country's declaration that it is ending its 200-year-old poppy cultivating history.

Posted by Ayatollah Jones at 09:21 PM | Permalink

Laos, the world's third largest heroin producer only 10 years ago, has declared itself free of opium poppies after a six-year campaign against the raw material used to make the narcotic.

This is all well and good, but with no viable alternative crops many former opium farmers are now finding work at the many methamphetamine labs that are springing up in their place.

Posted by Ayatollah Jones at 09:07 PM | Permalink

Pao Yu Chan, leader of the United Wa State Army, told a documentary film crew he has ordered replacement of all opium by the end of 2005. Experts in the region estimate Burmese opium production has fallen from a peak of 2,500 tonnes in 1995 to 880 tonnes in the latest harvest.

Continue reading "The Death of the Golden Triangle?" »

Posted by Ayatollah Jones at 08:32 PM | Permalink

Burma says it will spend $150 million with the help of the United Nations to destroy opium plantations in 41 townships, mostly along the Thai-Burmese border in the north.

Continue reading "Burma Unveils "Opium Free Zone"" »

Posted by Ayatollah Jones at 08:04 PM | Permalink

Myanmar's ruling military pledged yesterday to slash opium production by 50 per cent in the coming year, raising fears of a crisis for poor farmers dependent on growing the poppies which produce the illicit drug.

Continue reading "Myanmar Vows to Cut Opium Production in Half" »

Posted by Ayatollah Jones at 01:29 PM | Permalink

Built into a hillside by the Mekong River on the northern tip of Thailand, the Opium Museum lies at the heart of the Golden Triangle in Chiang Saen. About 750 km (470 miles) north of Bangkok, the town overlooks the junction of the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma (Myanmar). The museum, which will open officially early next year, aims to exploit this tourist business, luring the curious with the promise of entertainment and impressive audio-visual displays in English and Thai.

Continue reading "Thailand Opium Museum Opens" »

Posted by Ayatollah Jones at 09:21 AM | Permalink