Police Arrest Pattaya Extortionists

[george]

Police arrest extortionists claiming to work for Pattaya superintendent

PATTAYA: -- Following a string of complaints from over 100 beer bars, motorcycle taxi ranks and karaoke venues, Pattaya police arrested two men for extortion and impersonating police officers.

The investigation revealed that the two men, later identified as Somporn Potesuwan, 30, and Narongrit Chotsawat, 40, had been collecting 5,000 baht the 3rd of every month from over 100 venues. Their operation had been successful for 8 months before police moved in to arrest them in a sting operation.

The sting took place at the Hotman Karaoke Bar in Soi Chaiyapoon, with undercover officers carrying marked bills. When the two men entered and made threats, undercover police handed them the money and signaled officers to move in.

A search of the men found a fake pistol on Narongrit and in their pickup officers discovered two swords. Both men were taken to Soi 9 police station to face the man they claimed to work for, who was not impressed at the damage created by the two criminals.

Somporn Potesuwan claimed he knew nothing of the operation; only that Narongrit had asked him to accompany him on the collection rounds, each time stating that they were collecting ‘protection’ money for the superintendent. If the venue failed to pay the men would respond with veiled threats by saying they would not be responsible for what happened.

Police also confiscated a list of 143 names and dates of collection over the previous 8 months as evidence in the case against the men.

Both were charged with extortion, theft of property, and impersonating police officers. They face over five years in prison if found guilty.

--Pattaya Mail 2004-12-31

[davethailand]

We were approached by them a while back and told them to get lost. (politely)

[Wash]

Doing the math: 143x5000=715,000 715,000x12=8,580,000 x5=42,900,000 divide that by 2 (assuming a two way split only) and each guy gets away with 21,450,000 or 4,290,000 a year.

Pretty good wages for Thailand me thinks.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Doing the math:  143x5000=715,000 715,000x12=8,580,000 x5=42,900,000 divide that by 2 (assuming a two way split only) and each guy gets away with 21,450,000 or 4,290,000 a year.

Pretty good wages for Thailand me thinks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

4,290,000 p.a is better than working for a living.

[RDN]

...Police also confiscated a list of 143 names and dates of collection over the previous 8 months as evidence in the case against the men....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thoughtful of them to keep detailed records...

[penzman]

I would have a fake officer tell them they will be released tomorrow on the 3rd of each month for a looong time.

[ProfessorFart]

Nice to hear that something positive has been done.

Kudos to the MIB!!

Hopefully theres a lot of people breathing a bit easier now in Patters.

[SEAtramp]

I would have thought these keen eyed voulantary police might have spotted this scam.

[andyadam]

I would have a fake officer tell them they will be released tomorrow on the 3rd of each month for a looong time.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Ajarn]

Maybe I've been living here too long, but who's to say these guys weren't doing exactly as advertised (not real cops, but collecting for puu yai), and when the shit hits the fan, they become the patsies... I thnk many who've been here among Thais for a long time can see the logic here, based on experience, or past stories heard...

Maybe the soop. didn't pass it on, boss caught on... Or maybe the soop was not actually getting his share...

Or it could be a scene in a much larger power play...

Just find it mighty hard to believe this could be so widespread and the cops wouldn't have their fingers in the pie, too TIT

[WernerS]

Just find it mighty hard to believe this could be so widespread and the cops wouldn't have their fingers in the pie

sad but probable....