Unsuspecting tourists heading to Phuket airport find themselves in meth bust

By Tavee Adam

 

The Phuket van driver and his two accomplices were caught smuggling meth pills while en route to Phuket International Airport with three tourists still in the van. Photo: Khok Kloi Police
 

PHUKET: Three unsuspecting tourists heading home from Khao Lak after enjoying a holiday in Thailand found themselves in the middle of a drug raid after officers discovered 6,000 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine) hidden in an old fan that was in the back of the passenger van they were travelling in.
 

Jindanai Inthachage, the 30-year-old driver of the van, picked up the tourists in Khao Lak and was taking them to Phuket International Airport as they were heading home on Tuesday (Nov 27), Khok Kloi Police Chief Col Gerasak Siamsak told The Phuket News.

 

The Toyota van was registered in Phuket as a commercial vehicle under the name ‘Phuket Transport Partnership Limited’, he added.

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/unsuspecting-tourists-heading-to-phuket-airport-find-themselves-in-meth-bust-69528.php#VHmueUEFU4k4YySQ.97

 

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2018-12-01

Col Gerasak urged all tourists, “Please be aware of the vehicle that you are getting in, especially if there is anything in the van that does not belong there.
Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/unsuspecting-tourists-heading-to-phuket-airport-find-themselves-in-meth-bust-69528.php#sLJOzze5ph0dLUXs.99

 

From now on, the first thing i would do before getting into a taxi van is go through any and all things in it to make it belongs there

"Col Gerasak urged all tourists, “Please be aware of the vehicle that you are getting in, especially if there is anything in the van that does not belong there. “And if you can keep your bags locked or sealed, please do it - because some bad guys might put something illegal, such as ya bah, in your bag,” he warned."

I thought that immigration phrase "Good guys in, bad guys out", referred to foreigners not Thais?

Yep, check all fans prior to departing. I always do that!

And they knew its there from?

5 hours ago, bluesofa said:

"Col Gerasak urged all tourists, “Please be aware of the vehicle that you are getting in, especially if there is anything in the van that does not belong there. “And if you can keep your bags locked or sealed, please do it - because some bad guys might put something illegal, such as ya bah, in your bag,” he warned."

I thought that immigration phrase "Good guys in, bad guys out", referred to foreigners not Thais?

Well, it's a change from having items taken from unlocked bags!

5 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

Yep, check all fans prior to departing. I always do that!

And all this time I thought I was the only one!

6 minutes ago, quandow said:

And all this time I thought I was the only one!

And don't forget to deflate all the tyres, including the spare, to check for drugs. It is always a good idea to take apart the engine compartment, check inside the seats, take up the carpets or floor coverings and check behind the ceiling covering. Then do a complete body and body cavity search of the driver and you are all done.

So it's up to tourists to check for drugs in public transportation now? Can I get some of the kickback money if I find anything?

13 hours ago, BestB said:

Col Gerasak urged all tourists, “Please be aware of the vehicle that you are getting in, especially if there is anything in the van that does not belong there.
Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/unsuspecting-tourists-heading-to-phuket-airport-find-themselves-in-meth-bust-69528.php#sLJOzze5ph0dLUXs.99

 

From now on, the first thing i would do before getting into a taxi van is go through any and all things in it to make it belongs there

It may be a bit challenging if you find a snow shovel or a snowblower...

48 minutes ago, madmitch said:

Well, it's a change from having items taken from unlocked bags!

Unlocked? I am sure I am not alone. After a trip I would often fling my unused coins into a pouch in my suitcase. Many countries. Low value.

 

After one trip, it was obvious my bag had been tampered with. They didn't have time to find the coins the X rays had highlighted.

 

I bought a new lock. This time, they smashed it off and took some of the coins. 

 

I reported the theft to the airline.

 

Longer story short, two more trips and all coins gone. The common thread in all of this? BKK!

 

Locks mean nothing. I had one smashed in Africa, too but lost nothing.

 

The coins are attractive and probably a diversion although I really carry nothing of value in my hold baggage. I don't lock it any more.

The tourists should probably considered themselves lucky they weren't accused and held for ransom by the cops.

 

Scary stuff.  

What is to stop the drug runners from claiming the tourist is part of the drug smuggling!

 

That's why I only hire rental cars at airports and drive myself, no hidden drugs that's a given, no late drivers, drivers speeding, falling asleep driver's, drunk driver's, no change of drivers, and drivers wanting to sell me something, then when in Phuket wanting to charge me an arm and a leg to go somewhere local, etc etc etc, just me driving and when you work it out for the length of time you stay and the cost of taxis, your better off hiring a rental car from the airport, you also have the freedom to drive to wherever you want, not just be stuck in Phuket.

 

As you can tell, I cannot stand Thai taxi (mafia) drivers.

 

something to talk about on the journey home or when back with friends

1 hour ago, Proboscis said:

And don't forget to deflate all the tyres, including the spare, to check for drugs. It is always a good idea to take apart the engine compartment, check inside the seats, take up the carpets or floor coverings and check behind the ceiling covering. Then do a complete body and body cavity search of the driver and you are all done.

Love this!!! Great one. You will of course need a fair few tools as well. It might be a good idea to arrange the pick-up at least 24 hrs before you need to go? That is a lot of work to go through!!!! I have not read the full, but am assuming the guests were not involved?

The tourists should probably considered themselves lucky they weren't accused and held for ransom by the cops.
 

Not all cops are crooked other wise they WOULD have gone to jail.

Good news for Thailand international image. Beware of being accused of smuggling drugs. TAT must be thrilled. 

lucky they didn't get caught up in a fire fight.

1 hour ago, Cereal said:

The tourists should probably considered themselves lucky they weren't accused and held for ransom by the cops.

 

And the "cops" had no ability to see that the passengers were innocent? Idiots.

Worry about those issues that tourists complain about...taxis....jet skis...dual pricing. Yes...get your priorities straight.

No mention of the nationality of the tourists? Scared to scare more Chinese away?

Thai law states doesn't matter if you have no knowledge of the drugs in the vehicle, everyone is arrested for the same crime. Sobering thought the next time you step into a vehicle.

Quote

The three tourists were given a first-class ride to Phuket airport by police to make sure they did not miss their flights, Col Gerasak added.

????

But the question is, the tourist were on time?

Or have they missed their flight.

The dealer reported them, after sale services. 

That’s what usually happens to smart tourists with big souvenir. 

1 hour ago, TMNH said:

And the "cops" had no ability to see that the passengers were innocent? Idiots.

What are talking about? Have you read the linked article?

3 hours ago, todlad said:

Unlocked? I am sure I am not alone. After a trip I would often fling my unused coins into a pouch in my suitcase. Many countries. Low value.

 

After one trip, it was obvious my bag had been tampered with. They didn't have time to find the coins the X rays had highlighted.

 

I bought a new lock. This time, they smashed it off and took some of the coins. 

 

I reported the theft to the airline.

 

Longer story short, two more trips and all coins gone. The common thread in all of this? BKK!

 

Locks mean nothing. I had one smashed in Africa, too but lost nothing.

 

The coins are attractive and probably a diversion although I really carry nothing of value in my hold baggage. I don't lock it any more.

I always have my hold luggage wrapped going back and forth between BKK and Melbourne. Have never had a problem. I guess it would take thieves too much time to get to the contents.

How many times do mini van drivers stop along the way on your rides?   Ive Even had them getting calls and going out of the way to pick up boxes big and small  and small bundles and envelopes?   I try not to use mini vans but in July something happened and that was all I had.  Yes crazy fast driver.  

come on man, who is going to inspect the van for hidden articles ( drugs ). You must be dreaming