Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin has voiced concern that smugglers have turned to the so-called Golden Crescent as an alternative source of drugs trafficked to Thailand.

Mr Somsak said the Golden Crescent, cutting through Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, rivals Southeast Asia's Golden Triangle as a hotbed of drug production.

The Golden Triangle sits on the borders where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet and, like the Golden Crescent, has for decades been one of the world's largest producers of opium.

Somsak said he has instructed his anti-narcotics authorities to work closely with international organisations on drug suppression so as to curb the smuggling of drugs via or into Thailand.

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has so far succeeded in seizing large volumes of chemicals trafficked via Thailand to neighbouring countries, Mr Somsak said.

The agency and its partners have also arrested about 2,000 drug traffickers and seized an estimated 444 million speed pills over the years, he said.

''This year, I would like to underline how community resistance has helped to both prevent locals from trying drugs and also promoted treatment of recovering addicts.

"Hence, relevant organisations are encouraged to provide drug campaigns in whatever form [will help]. Nighttime hangouts, where drugs are regularly consumed, should not be overlooked," he said.