Thai Meth Barons Look Closer To Home As Pandemic Curbs Exports
By Lisa MARTIN, Pitcha DANGPRASITH
02/16/21 AT 9:20 PM
Cheaper than a coffee but powerful enough to keep him riding Bangkok's streets without sleep, Soonthorn puts a flame to a methamphetamine tablet wrapped in foil and inhales the intoxicating vapours.
Thailand has long been a global gateway for exports of the drug, but the coronavirus pandemic's sudden disruption of international transport has seen a surge in cut-price "yaba" tablets in the local market.
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the export market for illegal drugs from Thailand, leading to a surge of cut-price product on the local market Photo: AFP / Jack TAYLOR