Crime Brit Caught with Cocaine Stash While Overstaying Visa on Samui

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A British man has been arrested on the idyllic island of Koh Samui after police discovered him in possession of cocaine and an expired visa.

 

The incident unfolded around 5pm on Wednesday, when local police spotted the man flouting traffic regulations on Chaweng beach. Despite attempting to evade capture, officers caught up with him on Wat Phang Bua-Sanam Bin Road, not far from the airport.

 

The man in question is 28-year-old Michael Philip Martin. Upon searching him, police found three sachets of cocaine weighing a total of 1.8 grams stashed in his shoulder bag. Martin was promptly detained and taken to Bor Phud police station for further investigation.

 

Martin confessed during questioning that he had purchased the cocaine from a Thai national in front of a Chaweng beach pub the previous night.

 

 

 

He revealed the going rate for his illicit purchases was 4,000 baht per sachet. Furthermore, police scrutiny of his passport uncovered that Martin's visa had expired the previous October.

 

He now faces charges for possession of a Category 2 narcotic drug and illegally overstaying his visa. This bust highlights the police's continued vigilance in clamping down on drug activities and visa violations to maintain law and order on the island.

 

As the legal proceedings unfold, Martin's case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to local laws for both residents and visitors in Thailand.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-04-24

 

 

 

[wildpuppet72]

4000 baht for 0.6 gram that sounds like Hella expensive 😂 

[Hamus Yaigh]

6 minutes ago, wildpuppet72 said:

4000 baht for 0.6 gram that sounds like Hella expensive

Like thats his main concern now.

[Hellfire]

Just now, Hamus Yaigh said:

Like thats his main concern now.

RTP will sodomize him now.

[Packer]

28 minutes ago, webfact said:

police found three sachets of cocaine weighing a total of 1.8 grams stashed in his shoulder bag

 

But missed the 120 kilos wrapped around his waist. 

 

 

 

The Kate Moss Weight Loss diet obviously doesn't work for everyone. The Thai prison one might just though.

[smedly]

and how was he funding his iilegal stay in Thailand since October ?

 

hmmmm

[richard_smith237]

1 hour already - how have the Brit-bashers not jumped all over this already... 

 

They would usually be all over this like an 'Auntie' at an all you can eat shrimp buffet... 

 

... bet they'll pee a little when they read the headline... 

[chippendale]

42 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

RTP will sodomize him now.

 

Just a few days ago you were whining like an entitled cry baby about the hard floor in your prison cell during your well-deserved incarceration in Thailand. Now you're trying to act like a tough guy.

[tubby johnson]

47 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

RTP will sodomize him now.

 

Do you already miss the RTP's passionate and romantic rearing of you during your recent stay in prison?

[Hellfire]

6 minutes ago, chippendale said:

 

Just a few days ago you were whining like an entitled cry baby about the hard floor in your prison cell during your well-deserved incarceration in Thailand. Now you're trying to act like a tough guy.

 

Quite an opposite, I expressed my view of his perspectives and those are horrible.

 

[Purdey]

His family will be so proud of him. Anyone who has visited a Thai prison will know how bad they are. 25 to a cell? Yurgh.

[frank83628]

19 minutes ago, chippendale said:

 

Just a few days ago you were whining like an entitled cry baby about the hard floor in your prison cell during your well-deserved incarceration in Thailand. Now you're trying to act like a tough guy.

Haha, Beat me to it!!  although I zoned out of that boring novel length post very soon after he said he was over the limit. Boo hoo.

[Tropicalevo]

13 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

Haha, Beat me to it!!  although I zoned out of that boring novel length post very soon after he said he was over the limit. Boo hoo.

 

I find life is more enjoyable by ignoring any thread that he starts - along with those of the GG's 

[bkk6060]

Very stupid Coke and expired Visa.

Idiot.

Looks in bad shape for only 28 maybe lose some weight eating Thai prison slop.

[norsurin]

So he have money to buy drugs but didn't use money for border crossing to renew his visa.

What an idiot.I meet some foreigner who bragged about their overstay.I not answer them but just leave the table.

 

[richard_smith237]

9 minutes ago, norsurin said:

I meet some foreigner who bragged about their overstay.I not answer them but just leave the table.

 

Smart move... Anyone knowingly on an overstay is foolish... Anyone bragging about it is a complete idiot better off avoided... 

 

 

[Gottfrid]

5 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Smart move... Anyone knowingly on an overstay is foolish... Anyone bragging about it is a complete idiot better off avoided... 

 

 

Anyone on overstay for any reason is a total idiot! That´s enough

[richard_smith237]

8 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Anyone on overstay for any reason is a total idiot! That´s enough

 

You sound extremely certain of your statement - proof is in the pudding, you are an overstayer ?

 

 

[NoDisplayName]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

This bust highlights the police's continued vigilance in clamping down on drug activities and visa violations to maintain law and order on the island.

 

Gosh, this is exciting!  Tell me more!

Was he tracked down by a BMW smart car for the expired visa?

Was he busted by an undercover McGruff the crime dawg during a sting operation?

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The incident unfolded around 5pm on Wednesday, when local police spotted the man flouting traffic regulations on Chaweng beach.

 

Oh.

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Gosh, this is exciting!  Tell me more!

Was he tracked down by a BMW smart car for the expired visa?

Was he busted by an undercover McGruff the crime dawg during a sting operation?

 

 

Oh.

 

or.... broke up with his GF who grassed him up to the police - its then reported as outstanding police work !!! 

[frank83628]

Silly man-uva if carryng drugs and on overstay

[Gottfrid]

36 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

You sound extremely certain of your statement - proof is in the pudding, you are an overstayer ?

 

 

What kind of stupid question is that? You better eat you pudding instead. Yes I am sure on my statement. The day I am on overstay, will never come.

[richard_smith237]

39 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

You sound extremely certain of your statement - proof is in the pudding, you are an overstayer ?

 

What kind of stupid question is that? You better eat you pudding instead. Yes I am sure on my statement. The day I am on overstay, will never come.

 

You said idiots overstay...  so given your posts, naturally I thought.. ...  ... .. ... erm   

 

.....ok, doesn't matter now anyway...

 

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

51 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Nothing of that is necessary! Why did you avoid answering the question? Was the answer too sad for you?

 

Been answered before enough times in other threads - I really should have that answer saved to keep for you when you repeat the same question across threads... 

 

The involvement of British nationals in wrongdoing in Thailand is not necessarily disproportionately high compared to other nationalities. While British nationals are often highlighted in media stories about negative behavior, this is largely a perception driven by factors like the volume of British tourists, media coverage, and social media amplification, rather than an actual overrepresentation of Brits behaving poorly.

 

The reasons a varied - but here's a go a them... 

 

Higher Number of British Tourists:

The UK is one of the largest sources of international tourists to Thailand, so there are simply more British nationals in the country. Statistically, if more Brits are visiting, the number of incidents involving them will naturally be higher, even if the rate of wrongdoing isn’t disproportionately higher compared to other nationalities.

 

Selective Media Coverage:

British media tends to focus more on their nationals abroad, especially when the incidents are controversial or sensational. This creates a skewed perception, making it seem like British tourists are more involved in wrongdoing than others. Media outlets often highlight the "bad behavior" of British nationals, feeding into the stereotype, even though tourists from other countries may be involved in similar incidents that just don't get the same media attention.

 

Social Media Dynamics:

British tourists are very active on social media, and when incidents occur, they often share them online. This increases the visibility of the situation, contributing to a greater perception that Brits are more involved in wrongdoing. Other nationalities may not post or share their experiences as widely, leading to an underrepresentation of negative incidents involving them.

 

Cultural and Behavioral Factors:

While British tourists may sometimes engage in behaviors that are considered out of place in Thailand (like drinking excessively or disrespecting local customs), these behaviors are not necessarily worse or more frequent than those of tourists from other countries. However, British nationals, especially those engaged in party scenes, may sometimes draw more attention for their behavior due to cultural expectations or stereotypes.

 

Volume vs. Proportion:

Because of the sheer number of British tourists in Thailand, their involvement in incidents might seem disproportionately high. However, in reality, this is likely just a statistical artifact—with more Brits in Thailand, the number of incidents involving them will naturally be higher, but this doesn’t mean they’re behaving inappropriately at a rate higher than other nationalities.

 

Other Nationalities and Arrests:

In contrast, tourists from other countries, such as Russians and Chinese, may be arrested more frequently in Thailand for various reasons (such as involvement in illegal activities or visa violations). However, these incidents often don't get as much coverage in social media. This lack of visibility can be attributed to a British-centric media focus—where stories involving British nationals tend to dominate, especially when those stories are sensational or controversial. As a result, while tourists from other countries may actually be involved in more serious or more frequent legal trouble, these stories don’t get the same media attention, contributing to the perception that Brits are more prone to misbehaving.

 

Media Imitation and Amplification:

When one high-profile incident involving a British national gets reported in Thai media, it can create a snowball effect, encouraging other outlets to cover similar stories. Media organisations often look for stories that have already gained some traction, as they are more likely to attract attention and generate clicks. If a story about a British tourist misbehaving or breaking local laws goes viral or gains significant attention, other media outlets, both in Thailand and internationally, are more likely to pick it up.

This "copycat reporting" phenomenon can lead to the perception that these incidents are happening more frequently than they actually are. Once one incident is reported, it can lead to more stories being covered, even if they are not directly related or involve similar circumstances. This amplifies the public's perception that British tourists are more prone to trouble in Thailand.

 

Social Media Contagion:

Social media plays a huge role in spreading stories quickly, especially those involving shocking or scandalous behavior. Once an incident involving a British tourist begins to gain traction on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, it can quickly become viral. As more people share, comment, and post about it, the incident reaches a wider audience, often including media outlets that rely on trending stories for their coverage.

The contagion effect here is the spread of attention from one incident to another. When a story involving a British national attracts large numbers of views or shares, others may follow suit, either because of the subject's inherent controversy or because the incident fits into a broader narrative (e.g., "British tourists misbehaving in Thailand"). This can create a loop where media and social media outlets continuously highlight similar stories.

 

Stereotype Reinforcement:

When incidents involving British nationals are widely reported, it can reinforce negative stereotypes about them, such as being disrespectful or uninformed about local customs. As these stories are repeated and amplified, they start to feed into the contagion effect, where more tourists (including Brits) may begin to engage in similar behaviors, consciously or unconsciously. This could be due to the belief that certain behaviors are acceptable or "expected" when visiting a destination like Thailand, further driving the cycle.

 

Focus on "Foreign" Behavior:

The focus on British nationals may also be part of a broader media tendency to report more on “foreign” behavior, especially when it contrasts with local norms. Stories involving tourists, especially from countries with cultural or behavioral differences, often get more attention. The more a certain type of incident gets reported—like a British tourist acting inappropriately or breaking the law—the more other similar incidents may get covered, thus perpetuating the cycle.

Now, that was a lot for you to read - so I'm expecting a one line flippant reply thats neither eloquent or remotely intelligent (and there's a reason I tucked this last comment away in the paragraph because I know you won't read this far !).

[balo]

What is a 28 year old young British man doing in Thailand ? He is not a tourist but  can afford 4000 baht to get high. Who's paying for it, his mom? 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

19 minutes ago, balo said:

What is a 28 year old young British man doing in Thailand ? He is not a tourist but  can afford 4000 baht to get high. Who's paying for it, his mom? 

 

   Could have bought it in bulk and selling it individually ?

[freedomnow]

28 going on 58.

 

OOOF !

[spidermike007]

Samui maybe idyllic for some people, but I left there nine years ago after massive over development, ridiculous traffic, and an extraordinary absence of local pride when it comes to maintaining the island. Not to mention a lot of price gouging. And now my friends who are still there tell me there's a huge Russian presence which diminishes the remaining joy even further. 

[arick]

16 hours ago, Packer said:

 

But missed the 120 kilos wrapped around his waist. 

 

 

 

The Kate Moss Weight Loss diet obviously doesn't work for everyone. The Thai prison one might just though.

Yes and supposedly 28 I'm sure his idea is fake and his passport has to be fake.

[TheFishman1]

Surprisingly I’m sure they had cameras outside the bar wherever you think they would go after the Thai national who sold them the three bags of powder three little bags of powder is nothing maybe this Thai national sells 10 or 20 bags a day why don’t they go after that guy or does he pay with BROWN Albums to the police so they leave them alone TIT