Those of you who have been in Thailand for a while will remember the intensive war on drugs that went on in 2003 under the Thaksin regime. At that time, so-called blacklists of “influential people” were drawn up and used to help the police target individuals suspected of dealing drugs.

It was never made clear how these lists of “influential people” were compiled, but extra-judicial killings were rife. Police were given shoot-to-kill orders and those who found themselves on these blacklists were in serious trouble.

Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but the war on drugs is back – and so are the blacklists. In February, Interior Minister Chalerm said, “For drug dealers, if they do not want to die, they had better quit staying on the road. Drugs suppression in my time as interior minister will follow the approach of Thaksin. If that will lead to 3,000-4,000 deaths of those who break the law, then so be it. That has to be done.”

Also in February, PM Samak said, “I want people to understand that in order to fulfil the anti-drug objectives, extra-judicial killings do occur, but police officers responsible for those acts will have to face legal consequences.”

As far as the general public is concerned, we have been led to believe that war on drugs will not be as out of control as it was in 2003. The current war on drugs began April 2 and there have been minimal rumblings as a result.

So why the new blacklists? Phuket’s blacklist of “influential people” has been drawn up and passed onto the governor for final approval. This time, however, those on the list are said to be involved in one or more of 18 criminal activities, including involvement in drugs, gambling and, in Phuket’s case, the infamous taxi “mafia”.

Confusing the issue is that to be blacklisted, an individual must have a network of people working for them or they must be connected to someone in power, such as a government officer.

Phuket’s blacklist is part of a nationwide campaign, but it has yet to be revealed how any of these lists will be used or even who are on the lists. Out in the provinces, away from Bangkok, people felt the full force of the 2003 war on drugs. You will, of course, have heard stories of the atrocities that took place. A repeat of such actions would not sit well after the intense criticism drawn from human-rights groups in the past.

Are we on the brink of something with these blacklists?