The Era of Myanmar Kings
It is evident from the previous Chapter that during the days of Myanmar Kings, there was neither opium cultivation nor production in the country. Unrestricted inflow into Myanmar took place only when the foreign traders started to import opium into the country by sea. Successive Myanmar Kings prohibited the use of opium, very strictly. During the reign of King Bodaw Paya, consumption of opium and liquor was banned under the Royal edict and those opium addicts who did not abide by law were even given capital punishment. King Thibaw, the last king of Myanmar, enacted similar laws banning the use of narcotic substances and the offenders were punished under this law.