The Pattaya One news website reported that Briton Simon Hall, 39, “owner” of the furniture store, was arrested after the drug was found during a search of his apartment on Wongamart Beach in Naklua, on the northern edge of Pattaya.
He was already on bail in connection with two earlier drug offences.
Mr Firth told The Phuket News today, “Originally we and the Pattaya store were all part of a nationwide network of furnishing companies.
“When that fell apart, we in Phuket and Pattaya decided to rebrand ourselves as East Furniture.
“But we have never had a financial connection with the Pattaya store, which in any case closed about 18 months ago.”
Adding that Mr Hall was not the owner, but an employee, he said he was surprised at the arrest. “He’s a qualified dive instructor and has a solid background in high street shop management in the UK.”
Pattaya One quoted Pattaya police as saying that Mr Hall, who has been living in the city for six years, “is a well-known suspected drug dealer who would sell primarily to foreign customers.”
Mr Hall is to be held in custody pending a court appearance.