UPDATE: Channel 7 News and Thai Post have both reported that the captain of the speedboat ’Apirak 89’ had tested positive for methamphetamine use.
The mass drug testing followed the speedboat accident at Koh Maithon yesterday that killed a 5-year-old Russian girl and seriously injured several others, including the boat captain.
Leading the officials at Chalong Pier this morning was Phuket Vice Governor Norasak Suksomboon, who arrived on the island to begin his official duties only last Friday (Dec 29).
Joining the Vice Governor Norasak were Phuket Marine Chief Nachapong Pranit and Udomporn Kan, head of the Phuket Provincial office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket).
Also present was Thiwat Seedokbuab, Deputy President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), which operates Chalong Pier.
Officers from the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) were present to conduct the urine tests.
None of the 23 samples tested positive for drugs, said an official report of the testing.
The aim of conducting the drug tests and the “visit” was to follow up on maritime safety measures in order to build confidence among “citizens and tourists”, said the report.
So far no official reports have recognised that drugs may have been a factor in the deadly speedbpoat accident yesterday.