The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) led a joint operation with Koh Phangan police and local administration to conduct a drug sweep during the Halfmoon Festival on Koh Phangan. They arrested a young man driving a delivery vehicle who was found concealing ice (methamphetamine) at a checkpoint; the suspect admitted to using the drug himself.
At 17:30 on 7 July 2026 at Koh Phangan Pier (Pier 1) in Surat Thani Province, Ms. Areepak Ngenbamrung, Deputy Secretary-General and spokesperson for the ONCB, presided over the launch of the drug crackdown operation in Koh Phangan District. The event included participation from related agencies such as the Department of Provincial Administration, Village Security Volunteers, the Ratchasi Koh Phangan Special Task Force, Koh Phangan Police, Tourist Police, and the Territorial Defence Volunteers. The effort aimed to encourage coordinated inspections to prevent and suppress drug activity during the Halfmoon Festival.
Several vehicles passed through the checkpoint at Pier 1, where officers conducted screening and inspections but found no irregularities. However, when a white Isuzu enclosed pickup truck with Samut Sakhon license plates approached, officials directed it to a side lane for further inspection. Inside the driver's cabin, they found a man identified later as 41-year-old Mr. Rittiron, a delivery driver transporting goods such as bread and bananas for a well-known retail store, with cargo sourced from a warehouse in Surat Thani.
Officers discovered a small clear plastic bag containing white crystalline flakes resembling narcotics inside the driver's cigarette pack. The man was detained for initial questioning. He initially denied knowledge of the substance's owner, but officers were unconvinced and proceeded to test the substance with specialized drug detection equipment to determine if it was methamphetamine, either ice or yaba.
ONCB officers then used a Marquis Reagent test kit to analyze the white flakes found with the suspect. Within seconds of placing the flakes into the reagent, the solution turned orange, indicating the presence of methamphetamine-type drugs. Further analysis was required to distinguish whether it was ice or yaba.
Simultaneously, officers requested a urine test from Mr. Rittiron, who observed the process himself. A sample of his urine was dipped into a drug test kit to check for ketamine or ice. The test showed a single line, confirming the presence of drugs in his system. The suspect admitted to using ice and confirmed that the drug paraphernalia and the white flakes found in the vehicle belonged to him. The ONCB initially confirmed the seized substance was methamphetamine (ice), totaling 2 grams in a small clear zip-lock bag.
After discovering the drugs in the driver's cabin (white crystalline powder in the small zip-lock bag), officials requested to open the rear cargo area for further inspection of any illegal items. They unloaded the cargo boxes outside for examination but ultimately found no additional contraband.
Ms. Areepak Ngenbamrung, Deputy Secretary-General and spokesperson for the ONCB, stated that during the Halfmoon Festival, it is standard procedure to mobilize forces and set up checkpoints to intercept and suppress drugs entering the Koh Phangan tourist area. They also randomly inspect suspicious vehicles or follow up on intelligence to conduct timely checks.
Officials observe drivers' behavior and any suspicious signs that may indicate possession of illegal substances. Persons suspected of carrying drugs often avoid eye contact and act nervously. Due to the influx of tourists during the Halfmoon Festival, security is intensified with coordinated inspections to sweep the area and to accurately detect evolving drug types.
Entertainment venue operators, such as nightclubs and bars, are urged to cooperate strictly in preventing drug use on their premises. If drugs are found in these locations, the ONCB has the authority to order a 15-day closure. Inspections are conducted from daytime through nighttime, with authorities referencing a database of suspects connected to drug activities. The checkpoint system is a key measure to prevent drugs from entering Koh Phangan’s tourist areas, with data analyzed at a national level, not just within Surat Thani Province.
The ONCB spokesperson added that new forms of drugs are also monitored, such as tourists using 'Happy Water,' which may be concealed inside coffee sachets or creamer packets. Suspicious sealed packaging is subjected to further scanning. These thorough checks aim to ensure tourists can enjoy safe travel experiences, preserving the island’s beautiful attractions and rich culture, free from the harms of drugs.
Eliminating drugs entirely from Koh Phangan is challenging because drugs will never disappear globally. Even common medicines can be misused as narcotics by some groups. Therefore, cooperation from all sectors is essential—including local officials, business operators, and community members—to maintain safety and security within Koh Phangan’s communities.