The campaign, carried out in line with national anti-drug policies, saw 77 cases involving possession with 83 suspects, and 29 cases involving distribution. A total of 33 suspects were directed into rehabilitation, while 285 individuals who refused treatment were prosecuted, reported Vice Governor Adul Chuthong at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Aug 25).
Seized items included 30,638 methamphetamine pills (ya bah), 726 grammes of crystal meth (ya ice), 95g of ketamine, 89g of ecstasy and one gramme of heroin.
The figures were presented at a meeting of the Phuket Provincial Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), chaired byVice Governor Adul. Representatives from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Region 8 branch and the Provincial Narcotics Suppression Center (PNSC) also attended.
Alongside enforcement, officials reported on prevention efforts. Between July 18 and Aug 24, authorities carried out 29 ‘x-ray’ activities, 12 community engagement programmes and set up 16 checkpoints, which led to 90 drug users testing positive.
Thirteen inspections of entertainment venues across six locations saw 177 people tested, with 10 found positive. In seven inspections of workers’ camps across 14 sites, 41 drug users were identified – comprising 11 Thais and 30 Myanmar nationals.
WIDER STRATEGY
Officials also reviewed the 2025 Drug Prevention, Suppression, and Solution Action Plan. A survey of 154 villages and communities in Mueang, Kathu, and Thalang districts identified 102 drug users, three drug dealers, and 14 people involved as both users and dealers.
The meeting approved in principle the draft “Drug Suppression Operation: Integrating Forces in Drug-Free Villages/Communities” roadmap, which will roll out in three phases. Local leaders – including subdistrict and village heads – were tasked with intensifying surveillance and working with community networks to sustain prevention efforts.
The ONCB was also assigned as the lead agency to integrate performance reports from all participating bodies to ensure accuracy and consistency.
YEAR RESULTS
Authorities also reported broader results from the past year. From Oct 1, 2024 to Aug 23, 2025, Phuket Provincial Police exceeded their target for prosecuting drug-related money laundering cases by 400%. Over the same period, 28 foreigners were arrested on drug charges, with 32 suspects in total and significant drug quantities seized.
Rehabilitation targets were also surpassed. In Phuket, 1,006 individuals were assigned to treatment – representing 122.68% of the target of 820 cases.
Vice Governor Adul said the results showed strong cooperation between enforcement and community sectors. The meeting also proposed developing public-level indicators to measure the real impact of suppression campaigns, such as whether drug use is decreasing and whether communities feel safer.
“This integrated effort is vital to steering Phuket toward a drug-free society and economy,” Vice Governor Adul told the meeting.