Updated: Two Russians arrested for selling 'bong'

[Thaivisa News]

Koh Pha Ngan, Surat Thani: Police Wednesday arrested two Russians on Koh Pha Ngan for allegedly selling bong water pipes on a Samui Facebook page.

Nee Constantin and Perof Serke were also charged with having marijuana in possession.

They were arrested when police raided two rented houses, which are located next to each other in a coconut plantation in Moo 5 village of Tambon Koh Pha Ngan. Police have obtained a search warrant from the Samui Court to search the two houses.

The Surat Thani police chief has earlier ordered a manhunt for a Russian tourist who used a username of КакoвПанганец to post an ad on the Samui Sell & Buy, offering to sell bong or water pipes made of bamboo for smoking marijuana.

Pha Ngan police chief Pol Col Prachum Ruangthong led the raid himself.

Police found eight Russians chatting inside the first house's ground floor. Cut pieces of marijuana were found on the table where they were sitting and a plastic plate for cutting the marijuana was found there together with a knife.

Police found a bong with an elephant head drawing, which looks similar to a photo on the online ad.

Police searched the second floor and found some dried and compressed marijuana.

Police also found some marijuana hidden in a rice cooker in the second house.

Police interrogated the eight Russians and found that they are friends who often gathered at the two houses for parties.

They said they made the bong for smoking marijuana with friends and for selling to other farang tourists. They claimed they did not know that it was illegal to smoke marijuana and sell the bong.

Constantin and Serke were arrested as they rented the two houses. They were charged with having narcotics in possession.

[balo]

It doesnt matter if marijuana is illegal or not, selling stuff in Thailand is also illegal without a workpermit.... Not the smartest guys around.

[Mcffee]

Prefer a vaporizer instead. Just the THC without the smoke, perfect.

[Bpuumike]

Bongs are openly on sale on several stalls on Sukh.

[Yme]

Breaking news: Crime wave see's police chief lead manhunt for bong seller.

[Tomtomtom69]

It doesnt matter if marijuana is illegal or not, selling stuff in Thailand is also illegal without a workpermit.... Not the smartest guys around.

Actually it does matter. It's not legal for Thais to be selling marijuana or any other illegal narcotic drug either. The main crime here was selling an illegal substance and/or drug paraphernalia, which is also illegal. The work permit issue is less important. Surely there wouldn't be a news story about two Russians arrested for selling Matryoshka (Russian) dolls.