NARATHIWAT, Thailand: Six Malaysians, including a Kelantanese dikir barat singer, who were arrested by Thai police last November on suspicion of drug possession must undergo seven interrogations before facing charges in court.
Narathiwat Prison director, Supt Surin Chantep, explained that this is part of Thailand's legal process to ensure thorough information gathering before prosecution.
He said that so far, all individuals have completed five interrogation sessions, with the fifth session via video conference on Thursday (Jan 2).
"It was recorded at Narathiwat Prison from 9am to noon local time. There are two more sessions scheduled," he said during a press conference at the prison, assisted by a local translator.
Surin added that Thai authorities will continue working with relevant agencies to complete the investigation, including analysing seized evidence and gathering testimonies from witnesses.
Commenting on family visits to inmates, Surin stated that starting from Jan 1, the prison had extended visiting hours from Wednesday to Sunday, compared to the previous weekly visit on Thursdays only.
Regarding the meals served to the singer and other Malaysian inmates, he assured that the food is similar to what is typically served in Malaysia.
"The families of Malaysian inmates need not worry, as the food provided by the prison is halal," he said.
Earlier, media reports revealed that on Nov 1 last year, Thai police arrested six Malaysians, including the popular dikir barat singer, for allegedly possessing 6,000 ecstasy pills during a raid at a hotel in Golok.
The arrest of the singer, who is well-known in both countries, garnered significant public attention.
The case also sparked widespread speculation about the individuals' involvement in organised crime along the Malaysia-Thai border. – Bernama
