Pattaya police were given an update on the Soi Korphai Community’s award-winning anti-drug program in hopes of taking it to other troubled neighborhoods.
Top officers from the Soi 9 police station were joined at the community Aug. 22 by World Boxing Network Muay Thai welterweight champ Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee for a presentation on how the neighborhood dramatically cut both drug use and sales through its grass-roots program.
The program, hailed nationwide as a success, relies on a steady stream of organized activities and educational projects aimed at giving both youths and adults an alternative to narcotics.
Daily sports events, such as Muay Thai boxing, aerobics and petanque, are held while community leaders regularly run educational classes, such as language learning and occupational training to give adults a way to make money other than by selling drugs.
At the same time, Soi Korphai runs self-sufficiency training, such as lessons on how to grow organic vegetables, recycle rubbish and more.
While Pattaya police long have known about the community’s efforts, new officers rotate in and need to be informed about the program. Officers said they hope to use Soi Korphai as an example when speaking with leaders of other Pattaya communities where drugs are a problem.
