Photos PhuketAndamanNews
Supthawee Srisuwan, 27, who police think is part of a large drug-dealing network on the island, was waved down by police at a checkpoint in Rassada while driving his Toyota Vios.
But instead of taking the normal route of stopping at the checkpoint, Supthawee parked his car on the side of the road and ran from the police into the nearby forest.
Police searched the area for two hours before finally finding Srisuwan – who by this stage was trying to hide up to his neck in a pond.
The police say they found 10 ya ba (methamphetamine) pills and a large bag of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) on his person, and seized a .38 handgun loaded with five bullets from his Vios car.
Srisuwan was taken to Phuket Police Station for questioning.