Swiss swindler arrested after stabbing policeman

THALANG: -- Swiss national Carlos Minnig, 39, yesterday stabbed a Tourist Police officer while resisting arrest for extorting “protection money” from a fellow Swiss national.

The arrest followed complaints from Swiss businessman Rene Langansand, 42, that Minnig claimed to be an Interpol agent and offered protection services for Mr Langansand’s Koh Lanta business – for a fee.

According to a Tourist Police press release, at 5:30 pm yesterday Mr Langansand filed a complaint at Phuket City Police Station claiming that Minnig, 39, had made phone calls and sent text messages to his wife, Atchara Yoongthong.

In the messages, Minnig allegedly threatened to kill Langansand’s entire family if protection money was not paid by yesterday evening.

Phuket Tourist Police Inspector Maj Bundit Khaosutham ordered an undercover officer to accompany the businessman to the arranged delivery spot, a house in Pru Somparn Village, Tambon Thepkrasattri, Thalang.

When the pair arrived at the scene, Minnig ordered Mr Langansand to get out of the car and lie face down on the ground. Minnig then produced a pair of handcuffs and ordered Mr Langansand to put his hands behind his back.

The undercover officer and two more Tourist Police officers doing surveillance then moved in to arrest Minnig, who stabbed one of the officers before he could be detained. The officer sustained only minor injuries.

On searching Minnig, officers found a package of cannabis hidden in a cigarette packet. Minnig confessed to having bought the drug in Koh Lanta, police said.

During questioning at the Phuket Tourist Police Office, Minnig failed to produce his passport.

He has been charged with extortion, resisting arrest, possession of a Class 5 drug (cannabis) and illegal entry into the Kingdom.

“We think that Minnig was not working alone,” Maj Bundit said. “We are now tracking down his accomplices,” he added.

-- Phuket Gazette 2007-02-20

He is in biiiiig trouble, very biiiiig trouble, that guy.

This doesn't look good for Mr. Minning.

If you're a foreign criminal you don't want this to happen. Hope he gets some justice. Thai style.

He should count himself lucky there isn't an "attempted police murder" charge on the list.

Yup.He's screwed.

Silly bastitch,I wonder was it one of the uniformed TP's he stabbed,or the undercover?,

I should think that would have an effect on his trial,also interesting that he has been charged with resisting arrest,but not "Assaulting a police officer with a deadly weapon" or any similar crime...

How stupid can one be? I thought this was only done by Russians and Chinese foreigners.

Yep, he's in biiiiiiiiiiiig trouble, and he's certainly biiiiiiiiiiiiiig stupid too. I mean: how far did he think he'd ever get with his stunt? He'll presumably find a lot of time to brood over that, over the next few years in the all-free Thai hotel...

Quality Tourist, I suspect the police will keep that charge up their sleeve. It is not unusual for prosecuters to hold back on a charge, knowing when the first sentence is completed they can grab the released prisoner and put him/her in again.

Apart from the unfortunate stabbing it seems the sting went extremely well. Congrats to all concerned. This chap is in for a very long time but let's hope no strange things happen to allow him to "escape".

Hope the bastard rots. Extorting money out of an honest businessman and making threats to his fammly. <deleted> him. Hope he gets 10 years.

Bangkok Hilton for him!

How dumb can you get?

The guy's obviously seen the Thai mafia at it and thought I'll have some of that.

Shame he didn't realise that this is Thailand not Switzerland. DOOOOOH!!!

Probably brought up on a cinematic diet of Goodfellas, Casino & Snatch (Vinny was excellent in it chai mai) and the like...

Then thought, whilst admiring himself in the mirror wearing his favourite Reggie Kray T-Shirt, '..errr..... this looks easy.'

Yeah, this man has probably a criminal past in switzerland already...

and thats not enough, he is already registered in thailand for his criminal activity in the pasts,

but now, i believe, he will be out of the public & in at the monkey-house.

I think, he is really a biiiiiig DUMP, but usual the people from switzerland are clever, or i am wrong ???

I mean, i do take care so much, to not have to do with the police here in thailand, even i am totally legal person, without making something against the law.

some people i can not understand....

probably he was looking for a free & all inclusive accommodation in thailand...

Those police officers in the picture looked pretty pissed at Minnig. Think he migh be falling down some stairs......

For the dial-up or lackadaisical members:

Pol Maj Bundit Khaosutham (in uniform) announces the arrest of Carlos Minnig, a Swiss national, on charges of extortion, drug possession, illegal entry and resisting arrest during a press conference at the Phuket City Tourist Police Office last night.

Phuket Gazette

You can see a knife on the table, probably the one he used against the cop.

Dumb Carlos should have been Minnig his own business.

Anyone like to hazard a guess at his ethnicity?

I hope he wasn't teaching also!!

One guy is pulling his ear.

He looks quite Asian to me.

For the dial-up or lackadaisical members:

Pol Maj Bundit Khaosutham (in uniform) announces the arrest of Carlos Minnig, a Swiss national, on charges of extortion, drug possession, illegal entry and resisting arrest during a press conference at the Phuket City Tourist Police Office last night.

Phuket Gazette

"CARLOS MINNIG" That name really not sound like Swiss origine, even by looking his face on the picture, Again one of these foreigner that get another nationality and make that everybody thinking Swiss people are like him.... I hope he get a nice room at BKK Hilton for long time....

If he hadn't stabbed the policeman he probably could have gotten away with a bribe.

Now he's in big trouble.

For the dial-up or lackadaisical members:

OK, who is the lover in the back left giving him a ear tickle ?

Oh he is just checking to see if the diamond stud ear ring is real or not.... because if so, that baby is his.

Guess his ethnicity... that was a funny one. "My name is Jesus Montoya Humberto, from Switzerland!"

One guy is pulling his ear.

Given that he stabbed one of their own, that's probably not the last appendage that gets pulled on.

Given that he stabbed one of their own, that's probably not the last appendage that gets pulled on.

Thanks SRJ I needed a good laugh before retiring!

He looks British not Swiss!

Well he looks a bit Heinz 57 Different Variates to me ...Hard to say where his origins are from ...What,s concerning is if he was not alone in his venture and has accomplacies ..Is the Vicitms Family still safe ????

I wonder if he will have to pay overstay charges when he gets out of prison?

Deserves all he gets