EMBASSY BANGKOK REQUEST FOR FY08 JIATF WEST SUPPORT

UNCLAS E F T O SECTION 01 OF 03 BANGKOK 005436 SIPDIS NOFORN SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INL/AAE AND INL/C/CJ VIENTIANE FOR NAS USDOJ FOR ICITAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2017 TAGS: SNAR MOPS TH LA KCRM SUBJECT: EMBASSY BANGKOK REQUEST FOR FY08 JIATF WEST SUPPORT ¶1. (SBU/NF) This is a request for U.S. DoD operational support under section 1004, National Defense Authorization Act of 1991 as amended, for FY 2008 JIATF West training and construction support to Thai counterdrug law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and Thai military units with counterdrug roles. ¶2. (SBU/NF) Background Thailand is primarily a drug transshipment country but also a user of illicit amphetamine-type substance (ATS) drugs. The country has not been a major illicit drug source for the past five years despite formerly being a major "Golden Triangle" opium and heroin source country. A relatively large number of drug abusers and addicts (conservatively estimated at over 350,000) has alarmed the Royal Thai Government (RTG) which continues to take proactive measures to create and expand awareness of the dangers of illicit drugs as well as promote treatment programs to break the cycle and reduce demand. Methamphetamine (Meth) and other ATS drugs continue to be the contraband of choice because of their compact size, ease of manufacture, low production costs and continuing demand. The Thai have not historically been consumers of the crystalline form of methamphetamine ("Ice" or "Crystal Meth"),which can either be smoked or used intravenously. However, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) also report increased "Ice" trafficking and use. There were no "Ice" seizures in 2000 but over 320 kilograms were reportedly seized in Thailand in 2005. Trafficking and use of "Ice" is gradually increasing at the same time as Thai use of the pill form of methamphetamine remains stable (depending upon the region of the country). "Ice" and ecstasy are used by some affluent Thai and foreigners and is also trafficked out of Thailand via the Malaysian border and Bangkok's international airport after entering Thailand across the Burma and Laos borders. Methamphetamine pills, usually a combination of Meth and caffeine, have historically been preferred in Thailand and are either smoked or swallowed. The majority of tablet-form methamphetamine trafficked through Thailand originates in Burma, especially from United Wa state army-controlled regions in eastern Burma, and is increasingly smuggled via southern Laos and Cambodia into eastern Thai border towns. 
¶3. (SBU/NF) Training Programs ¶A. (SBU/NF) Baker Program Centralized Training for Multiple Agencies. Embassy Bangkok continues to support development of a centralized training concept for Thai LEAs as an effective means for JIATF West to conduct programs aimed at enhancing RTG counterdrug capabilities. Mission understands that this concept is designed to bring together regional Border Patrol Police (BPP) graduates of JIATF West-sponsored Baker Instructor Training Courses (ITC) and other RTG agencies as appropriate in order to provide instruction on basic and advanced urban-oriented policing skills with attention given to regional BPP requirements. This concept will promote standardization of skill sets across RTG LEA forces as a whole, encourage interagency cooperation among RTG LEA forces, economize USG training resources and foster future training self-sustainment of BPP units. Mission concurs that other RTG security forces in addition to BPP be invited to attend centralized training, as appropriate. Mission understands that operational concerns for JIATF West sponsored trainers continues to be an issue and that availability of forces is limited. Therefore, mission requests JIATF West consider the centralized training concept as the main effort with continued support to DEA requirements within Regions II, III, IV as forces become available. ¶B. (SBU/NF) Fusion Program Marine Police Training. Mission appreciates JIATF West's FY07 fusion training programs for Royal Thai Marine Police in the Udon Thani and Phang Nga regions. This training supported a Thai LEA that operates on the Mekong River in a very challenging environment with limited resources. Mission requests JIATF West continue to provide riverine training, while utilizing law enforcement working group guidance and requirements, to Thai LEAs or Thai military units that operate in the same or similar areas. BANGKOK 00005436 002 OF 003 This training will be directed at countering growing drug-trafficking activities across international borders. Mission understands that operational concerns for JIATF West sponsored trainers continue to be an issue and that availability of forces is limited. Mission requests JIATF West continue support riverine training as forces become available. ¶C. (SBU/NF) Joint Programs with ILEA. Mission requests JIATF West provide instruction to International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) Bangkok students with coordination and concurrence of ILEA management. Mission believes that instruction in areas of information planning and analysis given to Thai and other Southeast Asia LEA personnel will build capacity to manage intelligence/information as well as assist Thai LEAs to improve the conduct of their own operations and activities. Mission requests that JIATF West coordinate with ILEA to determine appropriate instruction materials and dates for course presentations. ¶D. (SBU/NF) Check Point Training. Upon conclusion of upgrades, modifications, assessments and establishment of an additional checkpoint south of Bangkok in the vicinity of Chumphon province to augment existing checkpoints, Mission requests that JIATF West provide training assistance for RTP personnel who will operate these checkpoints. ¶E. (SBU/NF) IIFC Training. Due to the complex and diverse nature of information and the operations of the interagency organizations that are members of the interagency intelligence fusion center (IIFC),Mission believes that frequent and relevant information sharing, analytical and operations training should occur for all personnel assigned to the IIFC program. Therefore, Mission requests JIATF West, in coordination with DEA and LEGATT, provide information sharing, analytical and operations training to assigned members of the IIFC program. Mission further requests that this training be cyclic, allowing syllabus to move from basic to advance skills, which post believes will provide IIFC personnel with the necessary capability to conduct efficient casework and well coordinated interagency operations. This training would also boost the IIFC's ability to coordinate interagency operations, an area of particular need. ¶F. (SBU) Small Craft Maintenance Training Team (SCMTT). Post is aware that JIATF West has the organic capability to provide instruction in the repair and preventive maintenance of small watercraft. Post believes this type of training would be highly beneficial and this support will have the following effects: foster a culture of maintenance within Thai maritime law enforcement and Thai naval riverine units, build Thai interagency relationships and build the capability of maritime units with riverine and coastal interdiction responsibilities. Therefore, post requests JIATF West provide small craft maintenance training to selected units of the Royal Thai Marine Police, and possibly Royal Thai Navy riverine detachments. Locations and Thai participation should be coordinated with mission sponsor. ¶4. (SBU/NF) Infrastructure Support. ¶A. (SBU/NF) Checkpoint Program. Mission appreciates the continued support of JIATF West for the Royal Thai Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau's (NSB) checkpoint program, aimed at supporting interdiction and policing operations and building interagency cooperation among Thai LEAs. Due to operational limitations, mission requests that JIATF West provide additional assistance in FY08 through construction modifications to the Chumphon checkpoint facility. ¶5. (SBU/NF) Information Sharing ¶A. (SBU) Airport Interdiction Capacity-Building. (1) Mission requests JIATF West assess the capacity for an airport enforcement program at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, with the cooperation and participation of relevant embassy law enforcement working group members and RTG BANGKOK 00005436 003 OF 003 agencies that currently operate airport interdiction units. Mission recognizes that a well-designed and equipped interdiction system that is bolstered by RTG interagency cooperation will provide a much-needed initial defense against illegal trafficking through this airport. Once an assessment has been completed and coordinated with U.S. and Thai LEAs, mission requests that the results be used by JIATF West to develop an effective enforcement program in cooperation with RTG agencies and all relevant U.S. mission elements. (2) Chiang Mai International Airport has also experienced increased commercial operations and evidence indicates that drug trafficking takes place through this facility. Mission requests JIATF West assess Chiang Mai International Airport, in coordination with Thai and U.S. mission LEAs, in order to determine support requirements for the establishment of an airport enforcement facility and subsequent training at Chiang Mai International Airport. ¶B. (SBU/NF) Criminal Records Database. The development of a criminal records database for Thailand would greatly benefit the Thai/US/Allied law enforcement communities while contributing to the overall global war on terror and U.S. national security strategies. Mission appreciates JIATF West's FY07 support to Legal Attach (LEGATT) Bangkok in conducting an assessment of Thai LEAS requirements for the establishment of a National Criminal Information Center (NCIC). Mission requests JIATF West's continued support to LEGATT Bangkok in the establishment of an effective national database which supports integration with similar projects by other regional partners. ¶6. (SBU/NF) Analytical Support. Mission requests JIATF West intelligence analysts continue providing support to U.S. LEAs assigned to Embassy Bangkok. This support has been an important asset that has directly and positively impacted drug trafficking cases and has indirectly helped U.S. LEAs identify other transnational threats such as immigration and passport fraud, asylum fraud, international money laundering, and human trafficking. Post further requests JIATF West assign a minimum of one counterdrug intelligence analyst to work in the IIFC to facilitate information sharing and analysis on counternarcoterrorist issues. ¶7. (U) Embassy Bangkok appreciates JIATF West's continued cooperation and activities in support of mission law enforcement requirements and programs. BOYCE