Latest news with #PhuketInternationalAirport
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Daily Record
Mum's warning to tourists after son arrested in Thailand 'set-up'
Jamie Louis Swain was arrested in Thailand when a bag of cocaine was found in his passport, and his mother has now issued a stark warning to anyone travelling to the country. The mother of a man detained at a Thai airport issuing a dire caution to anyone considering travel to Thailand after her son's harrowing experience. Last year, Jamie Louis Swain, then 29 from Stevenage, was looking forward to a tranquil holiday in Thailand with his brother in May, but it transformed into a distressing ordeal for him and his loved ones. Upon their arrival at Phuket International Airport, Jamie faced scrutiny when an immigration officer discovered a tiny bag containing white powder inside his passport. Jamie's behaviour, which included swearing and shaking, led the authorities to undertake a comprehensive search. His subsequent arrest came after they found that the substance lodged in his passport was 0.42 grams of cocaine. He could have faced up to 20 years of imprisonment under the stringent Thai Narcotics Act, yet following a court proceeding in July, he was instead deported back to Britain. He escaped jail time but was hit with a fine of 50,000 baht (£1,137). Michelle Swain, 57, described the turmoil her family endured upon learning that her son had been apprehended at Phuket island's immigration during what was supposed to be an eagerly awaited break, reports the Mirror. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. In discussion with MailOnline, Ms Swain recounted the distressing episode, claiming that she believed the incident was a 'set-up'. Her statement was clear: "People say it's because I'm his mum I don't believe it, but to get through two airports and the fact it's happened to other people, I just feel that it was a set up. "I can't help that, I know I'm his mum, and I'm not silly I know they're all doing this and it all goes on, I'm not naive I've got three boys. But I just feel like to get through two airports and then suddenly this bag appears, and he'd had his passport out all that time, I just find it very strange." She recounted how her son was subsequently placed in a 'holding cell' for approximately two days before being released on bail. She had jetted off to Phuket the same evening he was apprehended, describing the ordeal as 'awful' and expressing fears of him being incarcerated abroad. The mother-of-three shared: "He said there was no water, no food, nothing. He was in there about two days then he got bail. It wasn't a high bail amount. He then had to stay there [in Phuket] for three months at least, they wouldn't let him go. He had a court date at the end of July and he got fined. ". Ms Swain detailed his eventual deportation and return home at the start of August. Initially, lawyers had cautioned that he could face up to a year in prison, but he was granted bail for around £250 and later fined slightly over £1,000. Ms Swain issued a stern warning to other British holidaymakers planning trips to Thailand. Despite describing the country and its people as 'beautiful' and 'friendly', she urged travellers to exercise caution. She said: 'It was just meant to be a nice holiday. It could happen to any young boys going out there. "There's nothing you can do, you can be careful, but if that happens there's nothing you can do about it. It is frightening for the youngsters, it's happening all the time out there. "It was just an awful experience, I wouldn't want to put anyone ever through that. I would never wish it on anyone. The worry alone was terrible. It's a shame he had to go through that really, it can ruin people's lives. I don't think they see the damage it can do to young boys' lives."
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Mum's stark warning to Brit tourists after son held in Thailand on drugs charges
Michelle Swain, 57, says her family went through hell when they received a call from her son saying he had been arrested at Phuket airport by immigration officers The mother of a man held at a Thai airport after a bag of cocaine was found in his passport has issued a stark warning to anyone travelling to Thailand. Last year Jamie Louis Swain, then 29, from Stevenage, planned a trip to Thailand with his brother in May but what was supposed to be a relaxing holiday turned into a nightmare for Jamie and his family. When the brothers landed at Phuket International Airport Jamie was pulled aside when an immigration officer noticed a small plastic bag with white powder in his passport. Officers said that Jamie started swearing and shaking, which prompted authorities to conduct further checks. He was arrested after officials scanned his luggage and tested the substance found in his passport and confirmed it was 0.42 grams of cocaine. He was said to be facing up to 20 years in jail under Thailand's Narcotics Act, but after a court hearing in July he was deported back to the UK. He avoided a stint behind bars but was ordered to pay a fine of 50,000 baht (£1,137). Michelle Swain, 57, says her family went through hell when they received a call from her son saying he had arrived at Phuket island for his much-anticipated holiday only to be arrested at immigration. Speaking to MailOnline, Ms Swain has detailed the traumatic incident, alleging that it was a 'set up'. She said: "People say it's because I'm his mum I don't believe it, but to get through two airports and the fact it's happened to other people, I just feel that it was a set up. "I can't help that, I know I'm his mum, and I'm not silly I know they're all doing this and it all goes on, I'm not naive I've got three boys. But I just feel like to get through two airports and then suddenly this bag appears, and he'd had his passport out all that time, I just find it very strange." She said her son was then held in a 'holding cell' for around two days before being let out on bail. She had flown out to Phuket on the same night he had been detained, and says the 'awful' experience had her worried he would be jailed in a foreign jail. The mother-of-three said: "He said there was no water, no food, nothing. He was in there about two days then he got bail. It wasn't a high bail amount. He then had to stay there [in Phuket] for three months at least, they wouldn't let him go. He had a court date at the end of July and he got fined. " Ms Swain explained how he eventually got deported and flew home at the beginning of August. She was initially warned by solicitors he could face up to a year behind bars, but he was released on bail for the equivalent of £250, and was fined just over £1,000. Ms Swain had a stark warning for other Brit tourists heading to Thailand. She said while the country and the people are 'beautiful' and 'friendly', travellers 'should be careful'. She said: 'It was just meant to be a nice holiday. It could happen to any young boys going out there. There's nothing you can do, you can be careful, but if that happens there's nothing you can do about it." She added: "It is frightening for the youngsters, it's happening all the time out there. It was just an awful experience, I wouldn't want to put anyone ever through that. I would never wish it on anyone. The worry alone was terrible. It's a shame he had to go through that really, it can ruin people's lives. I don't think they see the damage it can do to young boys' lives."
Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
My son was called an idiot when cocaine fell out of his passport while on hols in Thailand… but he was SET UP
The small bag of cocaine was spotted by an eagle-eyed immigration officer BLOW BY BLOW My son was called an idiot when cocaine fell out of his passport while on hols in Thailand… but he was SET UP Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRITISH mum has claimed her son was set up after a bag of cocaine allegedly fell from his passport during a dream holiday to Thailand – and has warned it 'can happen to anyone.' Michelle Swain, 57, said her family's life turned upside down when son Jamie Louis Swain, 29, was arrested at Phuket International Airport moments after landing with his brother in May last year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Jamie Louis Swain allegedly had a bag of cocaine fall from his passport when arriving in Thailand Credit: ViralPress 5 The Brit, 29, was arrested at Phuket International Airport last year 5 The 42g bag of cocaine was spotted by an eagle-eyed officer Credit: ViralPress Immigration officers reportedly discovered a 0.42g packet of cocaine lodged in Jamie's passport as they flicked through to find an empty page for his visa stamp. He was detained immediately and faced up to 20 years in jail under Thailand's strict drug laws. Police said he reacted with visible shock, began swearing and shaking, and was swiftly arrested. His bags were scanned and the white powder tested positive for cocaine, according to Thai authorities. Michelle alleged the whole incident was a set-up, insisting her son had already passed through two other international airports – Heathrow and Dubai – without issue. She told the Daily Mail: 'His brother got through with his passport and then Jamie gave his passport and they said a bag fell out his passport. 'People say it's because I'm his mum I don't believe it, but to get through two airports and the fact it's happened to other people, I just feel that it was a set up.' Michelle added: 'It must have been put in there. I think this happens more than we know.' Jamie, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was reportedly held in a holding cell for two days before being bailed for the equivalent of £250. Watch as cops seize cat with crack cocaine taped to it after gang tried to smuggle drugs into prison using cute kitty His mum flew to Phuket the same night he was detained. 'He was handcuffed in there with a Russian bloke, just them two. He said there was no water, no food, nothing,' she said. He remained in Thailand for nearly three months awaiting a court date. In July, he was fined 50,000 baht (around £1,137) and deported – but not before spending two more nights in a Bangkok prison. Michelle recounted: 'It wasn't very nice in there from what he said. It wasn't good. 'He said everyone in the prison were more interested in his story as a westerner, and they said to him 'you're not going to get out of here'. They said they had been there for years.' She warned other young Brits travelling abroad to stay alert – claiming at least three other people had contacted her with near-identical stories. 'It could happen to any young boys going out there,' she said. There's nothing you can do, you can be careful, but if that happens there's nothing you can do about it.' Thai police said at the time that Jamie had been charged with importing and possessing Category II narcotics. He arrived on Etihad Airways flight EY432 and was caught during a routine immigration check. Police Colonel Padthongtew Damapong, superintendent of Phuket Airport Immigration, said: 'An immigration officer found the cocaine when she was checking the tourist's passport. 5 A scan of Jamie Swain's bag at the airport Credit: ViralPress 5 Officials tested the white powder, which proved to be cocaine by turning blue when combined with cobalt thiocyanate reagent Credit: ViralPress 'The suspect was charged with importing category II narcotics, namely cocaine, into the country and possessing them. 'The suspect was handed over to Sakhu Police Station for further legal action.' Importing cocaine into Thailand carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of up to 5,000,000 baht. Possession alone can mean up to five years behind bars. While Michelle admits she's not naive about drugs and has three sons, she maintains Jamie was targeted: 'It was less than a gram, it was ridiculous, but it was enough, as our solicitor said, to get money out of you.' 'It can ruin people's lives. I don't think they see the damage it can do to young boys' lives.'
The Irish Sun
25-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
My son was called an idiot when cocaine fell out of his passport while on hols in Thailand… but he was SET UP
A BRITISH mum has claimed her son was set up after a bag of cocaine allegedly fell from his passport during a dream holiday to Thailand – and has warned it 'can happen to anyone.' Michelle Swain, 57, said her family's life turned upside down when son Jamie Louis Swain, 29, was arrested at Phuket International Airport moments after landing with his brother in May last year. 5 Jamie Louis Swain allegedly had a bag of cocaine fall from his passport when arriving in Thailand Credit: ViralPress 5 The Brit, 29, was arrested at Phuket International Airport last year 5 The 42g bag of cocaine was spotted by an eagle-eyed officer Credit: ViralPress Immigration officers reportedly discovered a 0.42g packet of cocaine lodged in Jamie's passport as they flicked through to find an empty page for his visa stamp. He was detained immediately and faced up to 20 years in jail under Thailand's strict drug laws. Police said he reacted with visible shock, began swearing and shaking, and was swiftly arrested. His bags were scanned and the white powder tested positive for cocaine, according to Thai authorities. Michelle alleged the whole incident was a set-up, insisting her son had already passed through two other international airports – Heathrow and Dubai – without issue. She told the 'People say it's because I'm his mum I don't believe it, but to get through two airports and the fact it's happened to other people, I just feel that it was a set up.' Michelle added: 'It must have been put in there. I think this happens more than we know.' Most read in The Sun Jamie, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was reportedly held in a holding cell for two days before being bailed for the equivalent of £250. Watch as cops seize cat with crack cocaine taped to it after gang tried to smuggle drugs into prison using cute kitty His mum flew to Phuket the same night he was detained. 'He was handcuffed in there with a Russian bloke, just them two. He said there was no water, no food, nothing,' she said. He remained in Thailand for nearly three months awaiting a court date. In July, he was fined 50,000 baht (around £1,137) and deported – but not before spending two more nights in a Bangkok prison. Michelle recounted: 'It wasn't very nice in there from what he said. It wasn't good. 'He said everyone in the prison were more interested in his story as a westerner, and they said to him 'you're not going to get out of here'. They said they had been there for years.' She warned other young Brits travelling abroad to stay alert – claiming at least three other people had contacted her with near-identical stories. 'It could happen to any young boys going out there,' she said. There's nothing you can do, you can be careful, but if that happens there's nothing you can do about it.' Thai police said at the time that Jamie had been charged with importing and possessing Category II narcotics. He arrived on Etihad Airways flight EY432 and was caught during a routine immigration check. Police Colonel Padthongtew Damapong, superintendent of Phuket Airport Immigration, said: 'An immigration officer found the cocaine when she was checking the tourist's passport. 5 A scan of Jamie Swain's bag at the airport Credit: ViralPress 5 Officials tested the white powder, which proved to be cocaine by turning blue when combined with cobalt thiocyanate reagent Credit: ViralPress 'The suspect was charged with importing category II narcotics, namely cocaine, into the country and possessing them. 'The suspect was handed over to Sakhu Police Station for further legal action.' Importing cocaine into Thailand carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of up to 5,000,000 baht. Possession alone can mean up to five years behind bars. Read more on the Irish Sun While Michelle admits she's not naive about drugs and has three sons, she maintains Jamie was targeted: 'It was less than a gram, it was ridiculous, but it was enough, as our solicitor said, to get money out of you.' 'It can ruin people's lives. I don't think they see the damage it can do to young boys' lives.'
The Star
24-05-2025
- The Star
Bomb scare grounds AirAsia flight at Phuket Airport
The bomb hoax on May 23 prompted Phuket International Airport to activate its emergency protocols. - Photo: PHUKET: A Thai passenger on an AirAsia flight from Phuket to Don Mueang was detained on Friday (May 23) after claiming an explosive device was on the plane. At 3.17pm local time on May 23, Phuket Airport's Air Traffic Control was alerted by the pilot to a bomb threat on AirAsia flight FD3092, an Airbus A321. The pilot had been informed by cabin crew that a Thai passenger had claimed 'there's a bomb in the overhead locker'. The pilot immediately requested to return the aircraft, which was carrying 200 passengers, to an isolated parking bay (number 99). Airports of Thailand, the airport operator, said that the situation was swiftly brought under control with no suspicious items found, but the bomb hoax had prompted Phuket International Airport to activate its emergency protocols. An Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) was set up to systematically manage and control the unfolding situation. The EOC involved close and integrated collaboration between airline staff, Phuket Airport security personnel, Phuket Provincial Police, and Tourist Police officers. - The Nation/ANN
