Four Israeli men claiming to be soldiers celebrating peace in the Middle East were arrested while partying with drugs at a luxury villa on Koh Phangan early Tuesday morning.

Police responding to a noise complaint searched the villa in Ban Sri Thanu about 2.40am.

Tourist police said four Israeli men, aged 26-27, were seated in the villa, and appeared to be hiding something. They were found to be sitting on small packets containing 0.59gm of cocaine and 1.37gm of powdered ecstasy.

They told police they were soldiers on holiday and had been partying with 10-15 compatriots in celebration of the end of the Israel-Hamas war. The others had left the party after complaints about the noise.

The four arrested Israelis were taken to Koh Phangan Hospital where they tested positive for cocaine and methamphetamine use.

According to tourist police, the suspects said they bought the drugs from other Israelis who were at the party. They did not know their names.