Man in Thai jail after drug swoop

Marcus Parker, 45, was arrested in Phuket, along with German national Miki Maksim Klasnovic, 31, on suspicion of conspiring to supply drugs.

Mr Parker, who grew up in the Gaer, was living with his Thai wife, Lampai, and two children, Simon, eight, and Marina, five, in Chanakam Village, where he was working as a timeshare salesman.

Since his arrest on April 30, he has been held in a Thai prison and will remain there until police decide to release or charge him.

The two men were arrested with a Thai man in a police sting set up after an expat tourist tipped off Thai police about an alleged drug gang.

It is alleged that the informer met Mr Parker and Mr Klasnovic opposite a petrol station in Chao Fa West Road to pick up four grammes of methamphetamine, known locally as 'ya ice.' The two men then allegedly cross the road on motorcycles to the petrol station where two men were waiting in a Toyota Vios pick up truck, where police say the informer paid 24,000 baht for the drugs. Three of the men were arrested and a fourth escaped on foot.

Mr Parker's childhood friends, Andrew Morgan and Dave Gibson, are now trying to contact Mr Parker's family and do what they can to help Mr Parker.

Mr Morgan said: "He wasn't in possession of any drugs when they arrested him. He's a nice affable guy. I've been having trouble sleeping thinking about the conditions out there. There's 30 blokes in a 12 by nine foot cell. They're sleeping on the floor. He's only allowed one visitor a week."

Mr Morgan said he understands Mr Parker had crossed the road to talk to a friend, when the arrest took place.

Mr Gibson said: "The idea of him drug dealing is ridiculous. He wouldn't do it. It just wouldn't be an option for him. It's just not knowing what's happening. If we can just get him out on bail."

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman confirmed Mr Parker's arrest and said they were providing consulate support to both Mr Parker and his family.