SUNGAI GOLOK: Six Malaysians, among them a popular dikir barat singer, appeared at Narathiwat Provincial Court this morning after being charged with possession of 6,000 yaba pills, a type of methamphetamine commonly known as "pil kuda".
The group left Sungai Golok police station around 10.30am (Thai time) in a police truck, escorted by around 50 family members and friends who had waited at the station since 9am.
Crowds gathered outside the court in Narathiwat, about 50km away, including fans of the singer from both Malaysia and Thailand.
Sungai Golok police chief Col. Pol Jedsadavit Ingprapan said the six were sent to court to allow police to obtain further detention orders.
"They will remain in court custody as we complete our investigation," he said, adding that the group faces charges of drug possession and entering Thailand without proper documentation.
The six were arrested Friday morning at a hotel in Sungai Golok. They reportedly crossed the border for leisure during the Deepavali holidays.