IS PHUKET a better option for drug-runners aiming to beat tight airport security?

Resa Gholami, an Iranian, was arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport today, carrying 2.7 kilos of methamphetamine worth eight million baht.

Earlier in the week, two drug mules were arrested on Phuket carrying a combined six kilos of cocaine.

Today Phuket International Airport Director of Customs Montira Cherchoo admitted that she would like to have body-scanning equipment and more than the present 30 officers, but she said Phuket's defences against drug traffickers were reasonably sound.

Reading between the lines, what she was saying to drug couriers was: ''If you think you're good enough, we're going to prove you wrong.''

The holiday airport is greeting record numbers of tourists, but that doesn't mean the impact of drug smuggling is being taken more lightly than at other airports.

''Last month, Customs in Australia came to tell us how to detect nervous passengers landing on Phuket,'' she said. ''And the month before, US Customs offered us some advice.''

Today's arrest at Suvarnabhumi came because of a body scanner, a piece of equipment Khun Montira says that Phuket needs.

On arrest, Mr Gholami admitted coming once to Thailand to check out potential routes, and the second time today to earn100,000 baht - if he had gotten past the Customs scanner to greet a man holding his name outside the airport.

As for Phuket, Khun Montira said: ''More direct flights keep coming to Phuket. We have to strike a balance between welcoming tourists and detecting drug smugglers.

''There is cargo as well. We'd certainly like body x-ray equipment. But we reckon on standing a good chance of catching drug-runners.''

Today's arrest in Bangkok involved a passenger off a flight from Damascus, via Doha.

Passengers on flights originating in South America, the Middle East, Pakistan and India are the ones likely to face increased scrutiny as Customs on Phuket and in Bangkok seek to repeat this week's big hauls.