Captain Krabi Speedboat caught with "meth" on board

Captain Krabi Speedboat caught with "meth" on board

Two speedboat captains have been accused by police in the southern province of Krabi after methamphetamine pills, also known as yaba, were discovered on their boats.

The men were in charge of boats that carried visitors throughout Phang Nga Bay and its islands, including trips to Koh Phi Phi and Haad Nopparat Thara Beach in Krabi.

According to the Central Investigation Bureau, the first arrest took place just off Phi Phi Island Pier when officers noticed the boat preparing to welcome tourists.

The authorities asked to check the necessary permits, at which point the crew seemed to become flustered. Officers then asked to check the boat and discovered 5 yaba pills hidden on board.

The captain, identified only as Mr Sombat, admitted the drugs were his. He has been taken to Phi Phi Police Station to be charged with possession of a Category 1 narcotic.

Meanwhile, at Krabi’s Nopparat Thara Beach Pier, a second man was arrested after officers received a tip-off that a person in charge of a boat was using yaba. Police boarded the boat in question and conducted a search, which uncovered 4 yaba pills.

The captain, a “Mr Charin”, admitted they were his. He has been taken to Ao Nang Police Station to be charged with possession of a Category 1 narcotic.

Late last year, a 5 year old Russian girl died when the speedboat she was on crashed into rocks near Koh Maiton, off the coast of Phuket. The collision also left six foreign tourists and a crew member injured. The captain later tested positive for methamphetamine use.