Loan Sharks Menace Phichit Vendor, Demand Exorbitant Debt Payments

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

In a harrowing episode in Phichit province, loan sharks have instigated a reign of terror over a 59-year-old grilled chicken vendor. Arriving in a car, the brazen group threatened Pannee Noidouay with a gun, dismissively challenging her to involve the police, as they boasted about their immunity to legal consequences.

 

Pannee recounted that she had taken a loan of 4,000 Thai Baht, which attracted a punishing 20% monthly interest over 24 days. She had been diligently paying 200 Baht daily, but due to waning business, she recently had to halve her daily payments to 100 Baht.

 

Despite her adherence to a repayment schedule, the gang intensified their harassment, targeting both her and her 63-year-old husband, Veera Noidouay, with threats that bordered on physical violence.

 

The confrontations escalated further when the loan sharks insulted Veera, prompting their children to step in. The gang later used LINE, a messaging app, to send Pannee a menacing message, bragging about their boldness.

They solidified their intimidation tactics when four gang members remained in their car, as one displayed a firearm—an act which understandably unnerved Pannee's customers.

 

This is not an isolated case. Other vendors in the vicinity have reported similar experiences, facing threats or the seizure of their goods. Desperate for relief, Pannee contacted the police, handing over photographic and video evidence to Deputy Inspector Sirot Phetsadee at the Mueang Phichit Police Station.

 

The authorities are now amassing evidence with plans to collaborate with investigative teams in a bid to arrest the gang, thought to be operating from Phitsanulok province.

 

The economic strains in Phichit have made vendors particularly vulnerable to such predatory lending practices. These loan sharks are notorious for their aggressive debt collection strategies, often resorting to intimidation or confiscating goods in lieu of payment.

 

They have even gone as far as to allege they have local police on their payroll, fostering a climate of fear that dissuades many victims from seeking legal redress.

 

Esteemers of justice hope that Pannee's case will galvanise authorities into action, shining a spotlight on the urgency of tackling loan sharking.

 

Meanwhile, local vendors are increasingly turning to the media to shed light on their torment, hoping public awareness will prompt meaningful intervention. As the wheels of justice begin to turn, the broader community watches closely, yearning for resolution and security, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-10

 

 

[digger70]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

They have even gone as far as to allege they have local police on their payroll, fostering a climate of fear that dissuades many victims from seeking legal redress.

I can believe that, maybe some Are cops.

That's why there isn't much done about stopping/arresting those sharks.