AYUTTHAYA - A Cambodian worker decided to spend the extra 35 baht a day he received under the new minimum wage to purchase crystal methamphetamine, or ice, instead of everyday methamphetamine pills, or yaba, to boost his sexual "horsepower".
A Cambodian construction worker was arrested for possession of crystal meth. (Post photo)
Pol Maj Gen Kornake Phetchaiyawet of Ayutthaya province said that 30-year-old construction worker Veerachai (surname not given) was arrested for possession of crystal meth.
Mr Veerachai told police that he previously earned 265 baht a day. After the government's wage hike took effect nationwide on Jan 1 he decided to stop using ordinary speed pills and turned to using crystal meth because he had more money to spend.
He also believed crystal meth would boost his sexual performance. His wife had recently broken up with him because of his "horsepower".
The street value of yaba is 300 to 400 baht a tablet, while crystal meth is sold at 2,000 to 3,000 baht a gramme, according to police.
Pol Maj Gen Kornake said the Ayutthaya police, between Jan 5 and 7, had arrested 216 criminal suspects and seized eight firearms, 82 bullets, 5,300 speed pills and 200,000 baht in cash.