"I have lived in constant fear for 20 years," the mother told authorities after being discovered.
In a separate incident in Udon Thani province, a three-year-old boy was rescued while walking alone on a highway, attempting to reach his grandmother's house 15 kilometers away.
Investigation revealed his drug-addicted mother had regularly neglected him, forcing him to beg for food from neighbors and temples.
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong convened the National Drug Prevention, Control and Problem-Solving Committee on Nov. 7, emphasizing the need for solutions beyond mere drug trafficking arrests.
The incidents come as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's administration prioritizes addressing the nation's drug crisis.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported record methamphetamine seizures of 190 tons in East and Southeast Asia last year, much originating from the Golden Triangle border region of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.
The country is also grappling with increased recreational cannabis use and youth addiction following its 2022 medical marijuana legalization.
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