The checkpoints ‒ set up between 7:30pm and 9:30pm in Moo 2 and Moo 5, Mai Khao ‒ were ordered by Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkun, who also serves as the Director of the Thalang District Drug Prevention and Suppression Operation Center.
The task force included officers from the a Thalang District Office ‘Special Operations Unit’, officials from Mai Khao Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor), health personnel from Tambon Mai Khao Health Promoting Hospital, local village leaders and security personnel from the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor).
The nine who tested positive had their details recorded and were taken into the voluntary treatment system at Thalang Hospital, the Thalang District Office said in its report.
In addition, random searches of people and vehicles in the area were conducted, the report said. Apparently, no illegal items were found.
“This operation is part of a proactive measure to prevent and solve the drug problem in the area on an ongoing basis, in order to create stability and safety for people in the community,” said an official report of the roadblock random drug testing.
The operation on Wednesday night followed so-called “random” testing of more than 150 migrant workers at two workers camps in Srisoonthorn under the claim of an ongoing effort “to improve the safety and regulation of migrant worker housing in Phuket”.
Those raids followed Thalang District Chief Mr Siwat ordering road checkpoints in Pa Khlok last week that saw “random” testing of at least 120 people, mostly Thai citizens, of whom 20 tested positive for meth use and referred to “voluntary treatment”.
Of note, Thalang District Office in its reports has made no mention of officers from Thalang Police being involved in the roadblock checkpoints.