A senior police officer and son of a former cabinet minister was arrested and crystal methamphetamine seized during a raid on a hotel room in Bangkok early Saturday.
Officers led by Pol Lt Col Wallop na Nakhon, the Prawet district deputy superintendent, raided the room at Rider Resort hotel on Srinakarin Soi 49 off Srinakarin Road and found a man under the influence of illicit drugs inside.
One small pack of crystal methamphetamine, also known as "ya ice", was found near the bed, and three more small packs in a black bag nearby. The illicit drugs weighed a total of 19 grammes, according to Thai media reports.
The man was identified as Pol Col Chakkrit Iemchaengphan, 48, a deputy commander of the Office of Logistics in the Royal Thai Police Office.
Police took him to Sirindhorn Hospital where a urine test was positive for drug use. Officers said he admitted taking the drugs but claimed they did not belong to him.
The officer was charged with possessing illicit drugs with intent to sell. Police have sought court approval to detain him pending legal proceedings.
Pol Col Chakkrit is a son of Pol Gen Chamlong Iemchaengphan, a former deputy public health minister and former assistant national police chief.
National police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang has ordered Pol Col Chakkrit's commander to take disciplinary action and dismiss the officer from the force pending the investigation, said Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri, a police spokesman.