Phatthalung Police Chief, together with officials from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau Region 9, conducted urine drug tests for all personnel at Thalenoi Police Station following a video showing a sergeant enveloped in smoke during a Zoom training session. The sergeant has been missing for three days, and provincial investigators are currently tracking him down. A disciplinary committee has been set up to investigate serious misconduct, with penalties up to dismissal.
On 14 August 2026, following the circulation on social media and public pages of a video showing Sergeant A (pseudonym), a patrol officer at Thalenoi Police Station, Phatthalung Province, behaving as if using drugs—smoking methamphetamine openly during a Zoom training session for the Police Officer Efficiency Development Course for patrol officers to deputy commanders in fiscal year 2026 on 10 August—Phatthalung Provincial Police ordered Thalenoi Police Station to form a committee to investigate the facts. The investigation will proceed under criminal and disciplinary authority as previously reported.
The latest update from Thalenoi Police Station, Phatthalung: reporters observed the atmosphere at the station in the morning. Pol. Maj. Gen. Chaowalit Liangsuphong, Phatthalung Provincial Police Chief, officials from Narcotics Suppression Bureau Region 9, Pol. Col. Rangsi Manjit, Chief of Thalenoi Police Station, and public health officials from Khuan Khanun summoned all Thalenoi officers from all units for urine drug testing. The results showed no officers tested positive for drugs.
Meanwhile, Sergeant A (pseudonym), patrol officer at Thalenoi Police Station, who was reported to have exhibited drug use behavior, has not yet submitted to physical or urine drug testing today. He remains missing and unreachable.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chaowalit Liangsuphong, Phatthalung Provincial Police Chief, stated initially that today officials conducted random drug testing among Thalenoi Police officers after the scandal broke but have yet to locate the sergeant involved. Records show the sergeant has not attended training for three days and remains uncontactable. Investigators searched his home but found no trace; it is believed he may have fled.
When asked whether drug tests would detect substance use if the individual has been missing for several days, the provincial police chief confirmed that drugs would still be detectable if use had occurred. He expressed certainty that drug use behavior is involved but stressed the urgency of investigation and apprehension. A disciplinary committee has been established to conduct a serious misconduct inquiry, with possible dismissal if found guilty, along with legal proceedings.
Additionally, a police officer who told reporters yesterday that “drug use among police is common but society cannot accept it” has been formally warned. Officials emphasized that as law enforcement personnel, they must clearly distinguish right from wrong and serve as good role models.