AN ITALIAN man, accused of punching a Phuket policeman, faces court tomorrow on a drug charge.

Because of the seriousness of the charge, Luca Grimaldi, 35, faces deportation, even though he has a Thai wife and a child.

Colonel Chana Sutthimas, of Tungtong police, told Phuketwan that Mr Grimbaldi was seen behaving suspiciously in Phanason Villa, an estate near Central Festival, about 10am today.

When a policeman in civilian clothes questioned Mr Grimbaldi, Mr Grimbaldi punched the policeman, Colonel Chana said.

Mr Grimbaldi's behavior at the police station led police to believe he had been using an illegal drug.

Mr Grimbaldi told police he had been smoking marijuana, Colonel Chana said. Mr Grimbaldi was fined 1000 baht for the assault on the officer but the drug charge, considered more serious, requires him to appear in court tomorrow.

Immigration officials in Phuket City were reluctant to cancel the man's visa because he has a Thai wife and a child.

AN AUSTRALIAN man was arrested at 11.30pm last night at Rawai and allegedly found in possession of a small amount of marijuana, in the rear of his motorcycle.

Police said the man, known only at this stage as ''Richard'' because his passport has yet to be produced, told police he had bought the drug in Patong earlier in the evening.

''Richard,'' officers said, had planned to smoke the drug with friends at Rawai but he was stopped at a checkpoint and police believed he had been taking drugs.

Today the man, aged 28, who arrived on a tourist visa on March 10, was subjected to handcuffing and presented to the media with four Thais accused of taking and selling the methamphetamine yah ba.