Pubdate: Tue, 02 Apr 2002
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2002 The Age Company Ltd
Contact:  http://www.theage.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5
Author: Ron Corben

THAI POLICE RAID AUSSIE'S DRUG AND SEX PARTY

An Australian arrested in a Thai police raid in the beachside resort 
of Pattaya was hosting a sex and drugs party at his luxurious seaside 
villa, police said today.

Michael Suttie, 45, a long time resident of Thailand, was arrested 
Sunday along with nine other foreigners and 12 Thai women at his 
Pattaya residence, 150km south east of Bangkok, court sources said.

Suttie, described as a wealthy Australian with a property company in 
Pattaya, was held overnight at the local police lock up, together 
with the others arrested.

Thai police said they were expected to seek an arraignment of all 
those arrested - five Britons, one New Zealander, one Dane, one 
Dutchman and one German - in Chon Buri provincial court.

Thai Tourist Police Inspector Major Naradej Klomthuksing, who led the 
raid, said the arrests followed a two-month investigation.

He alleged the group regularly held the drug parties at rotating venues.

"The purpose of the party was for sex," Maj Naradej told local reporters.

"When we entered the house we saw some couples kissing and hugging. 
They looked intoxicated. They didn't seem to care about us."

Reports said police seized one gram of cocaine, an unspecified amount 
of marijuana mixed with tobacco, ecstasy pills and 19 packets of the 
tranquilliser ketamine.

Police sources said if the group was found guilty they could face 
fines and a jail term of one year, and for the foreigners the threat 
of deportation.

Thai Interior Minister Purachai Piumsombun called for tougher 
measures to be taken against foreigners involved in drug parties in 
Thailand.

"We don't need addicts from developed countries causing problems in 
Thailand," Mr Purachai said.

Mr Purachai has been overseeing a campaign to crackdown on Thailand's 
lively entertainment industry, enforcing closing hours at bars and 
trying to stop underage drinking.
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