Crime Loan Shark Gang Arrested After Harassing 76-Year-Old Woman in Lampang

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Authorities in Lampang have arrested two men involved in an illegal loan shark operation after they were found threatening and intimidating a 76-year-old woman who had borrowed 4,000 baht to care for her bedridden son. A total of 49 victims were later identified, with loan records totalling 330,000 baht seized during the operation.

 

At a press conference held on 30 May, at the Mueang Lampang District Office, Mr. Thanarat Saithaep, District Chief of Mueang Lampang, and Mr. Pasut Na Lampang, Deputy District Chief for Security Affairs, announced the arrest in coordination with provincial administrative enforcement units, police officers from Mueang Lampang Police Station, and local village leaders.

 

The arrested suspects were identified as Mr. Apichat 45, from Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province and Mr. Witiya 37, from Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province. Both men were apprehended after allegedly harassing an elderly woman named Mrs. Somjit, who had failed to meet the aggressive daily repayment schedule.

 

Authorities conducted a carefully planned sting operation, stationing officers at multiple points throughout the village to intercept the suspects. The two men were caught arriving in a Toyota Camry and were immediately confronted. Upon questioning, they admitted to collecting illegal loan repayments and consented to a search.

 

Evidence obtained included a debtor list containing 49 names, chat records with borrowers, money transfer slips, and three mobile phones. The suspects confessed that the interest charged was 20% per month, well above the legal limit.

 

Following their arrest, the suspects were formally charged with “engaging in personal loan business without a licence” and “lending money with interest exceeding legal limits.” They have confessed to the charges and were handed over to Mueang Lampang Police for legal proceedings.

 

The arrests followed a previous welfare visit on 22 April 2025, when Lampang Red Cross President Ms. Natcha Meechan, alongside Mrs. Thanyarat Saithaep and local officials, visited Mrs. Somjit’s home in Ban Pao Subdistrict. The elderly woman lives with her 31-year-old son, Mr. Jetsada, who is bedridden and suffers from brain damage following a motorbike crash.

 

During the welfare visit, officials learned that Mrs. Somjit had borrowed 4,000 baht from an illegal moneylender to cover household expenses. When she was unable to make repayments, she was subjected to harassment, including an incident where superglue was poured into her door lock to prevent her from entering her home.

 

Concerned by her situation, local authorities coordinated an investigation, which ultimately led to the arrests. Officials have vowed to continue efforts to protect vulnerable citizens from predatory lending practices.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-31.