A British man has been arrested in Koh Samui, Thailand, after allegedly attempting to flee from police while in possession of illegal drugs.
Michael Philip Martin, 27, from Liverpool, was stopped by authorities on April 23 after he was seen riding a motorbike against the flow of traffic. When officers signalled for him to stop, he reportedly ignored their commands and sped off before being intercepted near a hotel.
Upon searching his belongings, police discovered three sachets of cocaine weighing a total of 1.79 grams. Authorities also found that Martin’s visa had expired in October 2024.
Captain Sophon Maksuwan of the Bo Phut District Police Station confirmed the arrest, stating, “The suspect was taken into custody and charged with illegal possession of a category 2 narcotic and overstaying his visa. He has admitted to the charges and has been informed of his rights.”
Martin allegedly confessed to purchasing the cocaine from a Thai national at a bar near Chaweng Beach for approximately £90 per sachet.
Police released images showing the tourist in custody, with his hands together in a gesture of apology, as officers presented the confiscated drugs to local media.
Under Thai law, cocaine is classified as a category 2 narcotic, with penalties ranging from heavy fines to life imprisonment, depending on the quantity involved. While strict on paper, enforcement can vary, with some tourists reportedly negotiating settlements to avoid incarceration.
Koh Samui, the island where the hit series The White Lotus was recently filmed, has seen a dramatic surge in tourism, particularly from the UK, the US, and Europe.
The luxury Four Seasons Resort, which features prominently in the show’s third season, has reported a tenfold increase in bookings, according to the company’s executive vice president, Marc Speichert.
The so-called “White Lotus Effect” has also been credited with boosting tourism in earlier filming locations, including Hawaii and Sicily.
