Police in Samut Prakan are questioning an Indian businessman accused of running an ice cream operation as a front for illegal lending in Bang Phli district, after seven Indian vendors were arrested. The men, who sold ice cream by motorcycle, are alleged to have threatened borrowers who fell behind with interest payments. They were detained on Friday, 28 August, following an operation involving Bang Phli police and Internal Security Operations Command officers. Complaints over threats to borrowers The arrests followed complaints from local residents who said the vendors intimidated them when they could not meet interest payments on loans. Tae Achiwa, head of the Thai Mai Thon, or Thai People Won't Tolerate, group, carried out a sting operation targeting the vendors. One borrower interviewed by TV Channel 7 said he had turned to one of the lenders because his business was struggling and he had no working capital. He said compounded interest soon left him unable to repay, and that he was threatened by the group. The debtor appealed for help, saying he did not want his family to suffer. Vendors held as police trace money trail The seven men, whose names were not released by authorities, had rented a house in a community in Bang Chalong subdistrict, Bang Phli district. Police said none had passports, although each carried a date-stamped ticket resembling a monthly payment record. They told officers they paid 2,500 baht a month to the alleged Indian boss in order to conduct the business. Police said the group had been operating an ice cream business while also running an illegal loansharking operation. They were arrested on accusations of taking jobs from Thais and illegal lending, and remain in custody pending further investigation and legal proceedings. The businessman identified as the alleged ringleader was summoned for questioning. He denied involvement in either the ice cream business or illegal money lending, but admitted knowing all seven men. Investigators are now looking into other possible participants and tracing the financial transactions of the alleged leader, as the investigation continues. It also underlines the risks of informal lending. Anyone facing debt difficulties should be cautious about borrowing from unregulated lenders, particularly where high interest, threats or intimidation are involved. Join the discussion? 29 August 2026
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