6 boat workers at Chalong Bay Pier in Phuket tested positive for drugs
Phuket Tourist Police intensified safety measures at Chalong Bay Pier following a fatal speedboat accident involving a drug-fuelled driver, with random drug tests revealing that six boat workers tested positive for illegal substances.
Officers from Phuket Tourist Police, Marine Police, Chalong Police Station, and Marine Department Region 5 jointly announced stricter controls targeting drug use among workers in the tourism sector, aiming to restore confidence and improve safety for both Thai and foreign tourists.
On Monday, January 13, authorities conducted urine tests on more than 100 workers employed by various tour boat operators at Chalong Bay Pier. Six of them were found with drugs. However, officials did not disclose the specific substances detected or the legal penalties imposed at this stage.
The crackdown followed a deadly accident on Sunday, January 11, in waters between Phuket and Krabi. A speedboat carrying 55 people collided with a fishing boat while travelling towards Koh Phi Phi.
The crash claimed the life of a 17 year old Russian national, Starykh Elezaveta, while at least 11 other passengers sustained injuries.
Police later confirmed that the speedboat driver tested positive for drugs. During a search of the vessel, officers discovered Yaba, cannabis, and kratom on board, raising serious concerns over drug use among boat operators responsible for passenger safety.
This was not the first time such measures was taken at Chalong Bay Pier, but the province also witnessed several accidents linked to drug use in recent years.
In 2024, a major incident near Mai Thon Beach involved a drug-impaired boat driver, resulting in the death of a five year old Russian girl and severe injuries to other passengers. The driver was later found using Yaba.
Another case in 2023 saw a speedboat driver in Phuket found with Yaba in his system after crashing a vessel during a return trip from Koh Phi Phi to Chalong Bay Pier. That incident left 37 Thai and foreign tourists injured.
