The operation, which ran from 7:30pm to 9:30pm, was led by Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkun, who also serves as Director of the Thalang Narcotics Suppression Center.
He was joined by fellow District Chief Wisut Romin, local administrative officers, village headmen, medical personnel and Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor).
The checkpoint was positioned on a road leading to Nai Yang Beach, just south of Phuket International Airport, and targeted suspected drug activity in the area.
Out of 160 people randomly selected for urine testing, 15 tested positive for drug use.
Fourteen agreed to enter a voluntary treatment program at Thalang Hospital, said the Thalang District Office in its report.
One individual, a patient with mental illness currently under care at Saranrom Hospital, was taken into custody by the special operations team for further medical supervision.
Officials said the patient had not been regularly taking prescribed medication and was often seen using drugs with peers in the village.
In addition to the drug tests, people and vehicles were also randomly searched, though no illegal items were found.
The Thalang District Office says the continued roadblock operations, which began late last month (also see here), are part of ongoing efforts to curb drug use and maintain public safety in the district.
MORE RAIDS
Thalang District officials on Tuesday also carried out inspections at three worker camps in Thepkrasattri, with no illegal activity or drug use detected.
The operation, held between 5pm and 7pm, was again led by Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkun and Deputy Chief Wisut Romin.
The same “inspection team” that conducted the Nai Yang checkpoint also conducted the raids at the three camps, located in Moo 1 and 3 Thepkrasattri, which are home to about 80 workers, mostly migrants.
Officials conducted random checks of disease control measures and reviewed work permit documents and passports, the Thalang District Office reported.
Twenty individuals were ‘randomly’ selected for urine drug testing, and all tests returned negative. No illegal items were found during the inspection.
Officials also assessed the camps for safety, hygiene and compliance with labour camp regulations, the Thalang District Office said.
Recommendations were given to improve environmental conditions and ensure ongoing adherence to standards. Local village headmen were urged to continue monitoring the camps closely.
Again, Thalang District officials said the operation was part of routine efforts to maintain safety and legal compliance in the district’s migrant worker accommodations. (See story here.)