The first arrest was off Phi Phi Island Pier, reported the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).
Working with Krabi Marine Police, the officers noticed the speedboat being tied up to a mooring buoy, preparing to receive tourists. The officers asked to dock the boat so they could check the required permits.
The helmsman and mechanic appeared flustered, so the officers asked to search the vessel.
The search found five ya bah tablets hidden on board. ‘Mr Sombat’ identified himself as the owner, the CIB reported.
The second arrest was off Nopparat Thara Beach Pier in Krabi, where officers acting on a tip-off boarded one of the dozens of boats lined up to receive tourists.
The officers, who had been told that the “person in charge of the boat was using amphetamines”, conducted a search of the boat and found four ya bah pills on board. ‘Mr Charin’ claimed to be the owner.
The officers also checked the required permits and licences for the boat and crew.
Marine Police took Sombat to the Phi Phi Police Station to be charged and Charin to the Ao Nang Police Station to be charged.
Both men were charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 narcotic.