Thai police arrest two women for drug crimes

2026-01-30 - 07:46

SURAT THANI — 30 January 2024, Two women have been arrested for selling illegal drugs to tourists during the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, provincial police said. The arrests were made at the forward operations centre of the Surat Thani Provincial Police Investigation Division in Moo 6, Koh Phangan subdistrict, Koh Phangan district. The operation was ordered by Surat Thani provincial police chief Maj. Gen. Suwat Suksri, along with senior provincial and local police commanders. Pol. Lt. Col. Charoenchai Boonkliang of the provincial investigation unit led a special operations team that arrested the two suspects and seized drugs as evidence. Charoenchai said Maj. Gen. Suwat had stressed the importance of cracking down on narcotics on Koh Phangan, a major tourist destination, particularly during the Full Moon Party. Authorities aimed to prevent drug trafficking between Thai nationals and foreign tourists, as well as sales among foreigners and to local residents. The first suspect, identified as Prakaiporn “If” Anupradit, 31, from Udon Thani province, was arrested outside a house in Ban Tai subdistrict. Police seized 0.05 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 16 methamphetamine tablets. She confessed to the offences and was handed over to investigators at Koh Phangan police station. She was charged with illegal possession of Category 1 narcotics, illegal drug use and driving under the influence of methamphetamine. The second suspect, Wanvisak “Phueng” Pengcharoen, 28, a Koh Phangan resident, was arrested at an unnumbered hut in Moo 2 of the same subdistrict. Police seized 1.21 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 56 methamphetamine tablets. She also confessed and was charged with possession of Category 1 narcotics for sale, drug trafficking causing the spread of narcotics among the public, illegal possession of crystal methamphetamine and illegal drug use. Police said the operation was carried out in line with national police policy and directives from Region 8 Provincial Police, focusing on drug offences, illegal weapons, explosives, influential figures and all forms of crime.