NARATHIWAT: The Narathiwat Provincial Court has granted police a further detention order for six Malaysians arrested during a raid last Friday, extending their custody for up to three months (or 84 days).
A court spokesperson said that the extension was necessary for police to continue their investigation into the case.
The decision was made at noon today, and the six suspects will remain in custody until 4pm (Thai time) before being transferred to Narathiwat prison.
"This extension will allow Thai police to thoroughly investigate the case. The investigation officer can interrogate the suspects every 12 days during this period," she said.
She also said that police could only advance the case once sufficient evidence had been gathered.
"Families of the suspects may apply for bail, although the amount will be determined by the court," she added.
Under Thai law, possession of 6,000 pills can lead to a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years, along with a fine of 200,000 baht (RM25,880).
Meanwhile, a Thai police spokesman said that authorities were searching for two other suspects who escaped during the raid at a hotel in Sungai Golok.
These individuals are believed to be connected to the six detained Malaysians.
It was reported that six Malaysians, including a popular modern dikir barat singer, were arrested in south Thailand for possession of 6,000 pills in Sungai Golok town on Friday.
The six were apprehended at a hotel at 6am and are believed to have crossed into the border town for leisure during the Deepavali holidays.