Tourist police ordered to crack down on drug use by tourist-boat operators have arrested a Banglamung man suspected them methamphetamines.
An intoxicated Nattapong Noilamai, 32, was apprehended in front of his house May 18. Police recovered 112 ya ba tablets from his pocket. He also tested positive for methamphetamine use.
Police said Nattapong confessed to being a long-time drug dealer for speedboat and tourist boat crewmembers.
Police have caught up with Nattapong Noilamai and arrested him for supplying ya ba to tour boat operators.
Tourist Police commander Col. Arun Promphan said the arrest was prompted by a mandate from Central Investigation Bureau commander Lt. Gen. Pongpat Chayaphant to improve the safety of Pattaya marine transport sector by ridding it of drugs.
The pressure has been on city and police officials to clean up the beachfront after a speedboat collision last month injured 20 South Korean tourists and two guides.
