PHUKET: PHUKET Prison now contains 1380 inmates in a facility built to hold 800 - and two of those prisoners have been singled out for special attention as prisoners with possible drugs link connections, a meeting heard today.

Swiss Peter Balmer, 47, accused of bringing in four kilos of cocaine via Phuket airport, and Pakbhum Praynga, 31, arrested earlier this month at an apartment close to FC Phuket's Surakul Stadium with 30,000 methamphetamine tablets, are the two men receiving special attention.

The Commander of Phuket Prison, Rapin Nichanon, said the pair were also among 10 prisoners in the jail who faced sentences of more than 18 years, which means they will be transferred to serve their sentences elsewhere on conviction.

Mr Balmer appeared at a Phuket media presentation earlier this month to be a courier who knew little about what he was carrying from South America, except that he needed money.

But his links to the Bangkok dealers who commissioned his flight remain unexplained.

Khun Pakbhum appears to have a connection to groups who have been sending large amounts of methamphetamine around the region by bus.

Commander Rapin told today's gathering at Provincial Hall in Phuket City that efforts were being made to reduce the severe overcrowding at Phuket Prison.

Twenty women had been transferred to facilities at Takuapa in Phang Nga, he said. And 45 male prisoners had been distributed to Takuapa, Ranong and other facilities.

Commander Rapin also said that missiles laden with telephones continue to come over the wall at Phuket Prison.

The latest box discovered by guards contained seven new telephones, 12 sim cards, three sets of earphones, and 12 telephone chargers.