Malaysian Singer and Accomplices Held in Thai Jail Over Drug Charges.

Narathiwat: A Malaysian singer and her six accomplices are currently detained in Narathiwat Provincial Prison, with the court expected to deny bail over concerns they may flee. According to Thai News Agency, the suspects will be held for 84 days as they await their verdict. Progress in the case involves Ms. Wan Norshahida Azlin Bintiwan Ismail, a well-known Malaysian singer, and six others who were apprehended in a hotel room in Su-ngai Kolok District, Narathiwat Province on November 1, 2014. The group has been transferred to Narathiwat Provincial Prison. Investigations continue as methamphetamine pills seized during the arrest are analyzed by Forensic Science Center 10 in Yala Province. Investigators plan to question the detainees to determine ownership of the drugs. Should no confessions be made, evidence will be compiled for the prosecutor to present to the court. Relatives of the detainees have reportedly prepared funds for bail. However, legal experts suggest that bail is unlikely to be granted due to fears of the suspects fleeing across the border. When transported to Narathiwat Provincial Court, the suspects were photographed by media amidst a crowd of over 50 Thai fans. Reports indicate that all suspects tested positive for drugs, with two having prior drug possession records in Kelantan. This information has been shared with the Royal Thai Police, though further investigation is needed to confirm involvement in drug trafficking. The quantity of methamphetamine pills found suggests potential trafficking rather than personal use. Further reports from Bernama highlighted that locals illegally crossed the border into Thailand on October 31, intending to return on November 2, but were intercepted. Ms. Wan Norshahida Azlin Bintiwan Ismail, 28, is also a singer of Likay Barat, a traditional Malay folk genre. Her song "Cinta Setandan Pisang," released on YouTube in December 2023, has garnered 23 million views.