Picture courtesy of Matichon

A 26-year-old foreign tourist from Ivory Coast has been arrested at Patong Hospital in Phuket on charges of possessing cocaine for sale and personal use. The arrest took place on 12 February under orders from senior provincial officials as part of an ongoing crackdown on drugs and organised crime. Authorities seized 4.31 grammes of cocaine and a mobile phone as evidence.

Get today's headlines by email

The operation was carried out under the direction of Phuket Governor Nirut Pongphisitthaworn, Vice Governor Colonel Adul Chuthong, Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer Rungrueng Thimabut, Kathu District Chief Akkaraphon Suttirak Jitsusapha, and Thammarong Chuai-aksorn, Chief of the Kathu District Administration Group. They instructed Jirawat Namat, Chief of Security Affairs, Anurak Poolsak of the Prevention Division and members of the Kathu District Volunteer Defence Corps Company 2 to conduct the arrest.

The suspect, identified as only Mr A, an Ivorian national, was detained at the hospital in Patong, Kathu district. Officers confiscated three pieces of Category 1 narcotics (cocaine) weighing a total of 4.31 grammes, along with one mobile phone. He was charged with possession of cocaine for distribution and consumption without permission.

Following the arrest, the suspect and seized items were handed over to investigators at Patong Police Station for legal proceedings. Authorities confirmed that the operation forms part of government and Interior Ministry policy to maintain social order and suppress influential criminal networks without leniency.

Officials stated that Kathu district authorities have been implementing continued enforcement measures to address narcotics-related offences and safeguard community security. The arrest reflects ongoing efforts in Phuket to prevent drug trafficking and protect public safety, particularly in key tourist areas.

Matichon reported that legal proceedings will now continue under Thai law, with the investigation handled by Patong police. Further investigation into the supply chain and other individuals involved are ongoing.

Key Takeaways

• A 26-year-old Ivorian tourist was arrested on 12 February at Patong Hospital with 4.31 grammes of cocaine.

• Officials charged him with possession for sale and personal use without permission.

• The arrest forms part of a wider government crackdown on drugs and organised crime in Phuket.

Related stories

French-tourist-arrested-after-cocaine-dropped-at-Phuket-airport

Kuwaiti-arrested-in-Patong-over-drugs-and-visa-overstay

Join the discussion?

  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Matichon · 13 Feb 2026

O.K. so why is Einstein at the hospital with 4 grams of cocaine?

He sells it there?

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Picture courtesy of Matichon

The operation was carried out under the direction of Phuket Governor Nirut Pongphisitthaworn, Vice Governor Colonel Adul Chuthong, Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer Rungrueng Thimabut, Kathu District Chief Akkaraphon Suttirak Jitsusapha, and Thammarong Chuai-aksorn, Chief of the Kathu District Administration Group. They instructed Jirawat Namat, Chief of Security Affairs, Anurak Poolsak of the Prevention Division and members of the Kathu District Volunteer Defence Corps Company 2 to conduct the arrest.

 

Ever heard of the expression "too many chiefs and not enough Indians". A to arrest one man.

Tourist visa doesn't mean "tourist" ... We've seen that often enough.

Well, to be honest, Cocaine is a drug and he was at the hospital, so that may explain his predicament. 555555

On 2/13/2026 at 4:31 AM, Priorexpat said:

O.K. so why is Einstein at the hospital with 4 grams of cocaine?

He sells it there?

Perhaps he was there hoping someone would donate him a brain?

Keep letting Africans in without vetting them. It'll be fine...

Another man taking a Nigerians job.Disgusting.

perhaps he thought , providing his own drugs would keep the hospital bill down

On 2/13/2026 at 5:09 AM, Georgealbert said:

4.31 grammes of cocaine.

• Officials charged him with possession for sale and personal use without permission.

What does Thai law say about the minimum amount required for sale vs personal use? The two must be identified factually, not presumed.

The charge for distribution seems unsupported in the news unless there is direct evidence that he was attempting to sell or deliver the cocaine (in a hospital?).

• What I found in limited research was in Thailand Possession for Personal Use legally defined quantity (up to 2g for cocaine) is presumed for consumption and offenders may be directed towards rehabilitation instead of imprisonment.

• If the quantity of pure cocaine is 100 grams or more, it is automatically regarded as possession for the purpose of disposal/distribution. Under 100 grams (ie., 4 grams) INTENT for the purpose of disposal/distribution must be proven, not surmised.

Will "Officials" do an open and fair investigation or simply fall back to presumption to promote a political agenda?

On 2/13/2026 at 5:09 AM, Georgealbert said:

he operation was carried out under the direction of Phuket Governor Nirut Pongphisitthaworn, Vice Governor Colonel Adul Chuthong, Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer Rungrueng Thimabut, Kathu District Chief Akkaraphon Suttirak Jitsusapha, and Thammarong Chuai-aksorn, Chief of the Kathu District Administration Group. They instructed Jirawat Namat, Chief of Security Affairs, Anurak Poolsak of the Prevention Division and members of the Kathu District Volunteer Defence Corps Company 2 to conduct the arrest.

wow there seem to be a lot of presumably "uniformed" officials involved, but not very many police. Were the police too busy?

They even had to call on volunteers ! lol