In a span of seven days, Phuket police apprehended 64 individuals in an effort to bolster the safety measures for tourists from China and Kazakhstan who are visiting under a visa-free arrangement.

 

The Phuket Provincial Police’s campaign is primarily aimed at curbing crime rates, particularly drug-related offences, to uphold Phuket’s reputation as a safe tourist destination. According to a report released by the authorities, the campaign has been successful so far.

 

The report, dated yesterday, provided an account of the police’s activities from October 8 to October 14. Sixteen people have been charged with distributing drugs or conspiring and aiding drug proliferation.

 

An additional 41 individuals were taken into custody on drug-related charges, with law enforcement officers confiscating 9,946 tablets of methamphetamine, commonly known as Yaba, and 128.1 grams of crystal methamphetamine, also known as ya ice.

 

Moreover, seven arrests were made on charges related to firearms, as stated in the report. This update comes on the heels of a similar report issued last week, which detailed the arrests made from October 1 to October 7, reported The Phuket News.

 

By Mitch Connor

Caption: Photo by Loren Biser on Unsplash

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-10-16

 

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But what about those tourists from countries other than China and Kazakhstan? and those with visas? Don't they warrant the same protections?

 

 

So if visitors from China and Kazakhstan still required visas, the police wouldn't arrest people for crimes?