Fugitive Arrested After a Decade on the Run, Found Working on Fishing Boat in Phang Nga

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of CIB

 

A fugitive who evaded capture for nearly a decade has been arrested while working as a crew member on a fishing boat in Phang Nga province.

 

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), led by the Water Police Division, apprehended 38-year-old Mr. Thawatchai under an outstanding warrant issued by the Surat Thani Provincial Court on 11 August 2015 (Warrant No. 279/2558). He was wanted for drug-related offences, specifically possession of a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute, as well as illegal possession of a firearm.

 

Authorities had been tracking Mr. Thawatchai since his time living in Surat Thani, where he was known to be involved in drug-related activities. In an attempt to evade capture, he fled the province and took up work as a fisherman in Phang Nga.

 

Acting on intelligence, officers from Marine Police Station 2, Division 8, located a fishing vessel docked at a fishery in Ban Thap Lamu, Lam Kaen subdistrict, in the Tai Mueang district. Upon boarding the vessel for inspection, they identified Mr. Thawatchai among the crew.

 

The suspect was informed of the outstanding warrant before being taken into custody. He has since been handed over to the relevant authorities for legal proceedings.

 

This arrest marks a success for law enforcement in tracking down a long-term fugitive and reinforces the commitment of Thai authorities to cracking down on drug-related crimes.

 

-- 2025-02-08

 

 

[Gottfrid]

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

This arrest marks a success for law enforcement in tracking down a long-term fugitive and reinforces the commitment of Thai authorities to cracking down on drug-related crimes.

Find it very hard to believe that. My first thought will be that they acted on a tip.