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Sydney boat crash survivor's ice drug hell
* By Lisa Davies
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* September 30, 2009 12:00AM
HE lost his best mate in the worst boating tragedy on Sydney Harbour, barely escaping with his own life.
The trauma of surviving the crash that killed the man he called "brother" and five other friends left Thanawat Chudtalay's life in tatters.
Chudtalay was arrested and charged last month with the possession of more than 100g of the illegal drug that bears his nickname - ice.
He was also charged with four counts of supplying a prohibited drug.
The 24-year-old is now in drug and alcohol rehabilitation following what a psychologist identified as post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by the horrific night in May 2008.
Chudtalay was one of 14 friends who piled on to a small runabout after a night out in Balmain for a short trip across the Harbour.
They were on their way back to the house near the Balmain wharf shared by Chudtalay, his best mate Alex "Pondi" Nikakis and another survivor, Michael Tsimnadis, when the boat collided with a trawler.
Five people were killed instantly, while Mr Nikakis died from massive head injuries some hours later.
Chudtalay spoke to his best friend in the seconds after the violent collision at 2.45am, asking him if he was OK.
The barman had answered "yeah" before slipping into unconsciousness and did not awake.
Chudtalay's heartache at his mate's death was first noted in a tribute on Facebook: "RIP my brother, me and you will never be apart. I love you, have a lot of fun in your next (life) R.I.P."
Since then, however, Chudtalay had been unable to get his life on track.
A psychologist's report written since his arrest on August 10 revealed that he was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
Court papers revealed Strike Force Billarong was set up to investigate the alleged drug activities of Chudtalay and another man, with the pair under police surveillance from mid-June.
Chudtalay's mobile phone and SMS messages were monitored, capturing him making arrangements to sell ice and cocaine, a court heard.
The last transaction, at the Surry Hills bar Triple Ace, took place on the day Chudtalay was arrested, allegedly selling an "8-ball" of ice - approximately 3.5g - for $1200.
Police allege that when they arrested him at his home in Cathedral St he had $1000 in his possession, the proceeds of this drug transaction.
Chudtalay was granted bail by consent in Sydney's Central Local Court on Monday. Magistrate Allan Moore released him into the custody of solicitor Alexander Harmstorf to go to Odyssey House for rehabilitation. The case returns to court next month.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...rs-ice-drug-hell/story-e6freuy9-1225780940496
