Muay Thai Star Arrested In Phuket

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Muay Thai star arrested in Phuket

Retired Muay Thai star Kwan-ngen Chokeladda (blue shirt) and his accomplice at Chalong Police Station yesterday.

PHUKET: -- Former Muay Thai star Chaisiri Boonman, better known by his ring name Kwan-ngen Chokeladda, was one of two men arrested yesterday for committing at least two roadside robberies in Phuket.

The arrests were announced by Chalong Police Superintendent Wichit Intorrasorn at a press conference at Chalong Police Station at 6:30pm yesterday.

At the press conference, police presented Arnon Kongnoon, 21, from Satun, and Mr Chaisiri, 21, from Krabi.

Also presented was the motorbike the pair used to allegedly carry out the robberies as well as four mobile phones and 1,050 baht in cash.

Mr Chaisiri had more than 100 fights against top-level opponents at both Lumpini and Ratchadamnoen stadiums in Bangkok before an injury forced him into early retirement.

Before their arrest. both men worked as paddlers for a Phuket-based company offering kayak tours, police said.

According to police, in performing the robberies Mr Chaisiri drove the motorbike with Mr Arnon riding pillion and snatching valuables from unsuspecting members of the public, usually women.

The pair covered the motorbike’s license plate with electrical tape to avoid detection, police said.

The men were arrested after Rattikarn Kahapana reported to police at 2am yesterday that her shoulder bag, containing a mobile phone, cash and important personal documents, had been snatched from her by two men on a motorbike near the Safari Pub at the southern end of Patong.

Half an hour later, Sudarat Mupila, 25, from Nongkhai, also reported being robbed by two men on a motorbike, this time near the entrance to the Meridien resort complex.

After being informed of the first theft, Kathu Police notified Chalong Police, who set up checkpoints around Karon to intercept the robbers, who were last reported to be heading south.

Soon after, Mr Chaisiri and Mr Arnon arrived at a checkpoint near Baan Kata School, but refused to pull over and sped off towards Chalong Circle.

A subsequent chase ended when the pair crashed near the Ha Yak Pochana Restaurant near Chalong Circle, leaving Mr Chaisiri slightly injured.

Both men confessed to committing “many” robberies in Phuket, police said.

Chalong Police are asking other possible victims to come forward and identify the men.

Police commented that the pair appeared to be seasoned bandits with little respect for the law, as evidenced by their carrying out of multiple robberies in succession.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-05-29

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[gotlost]

To bad even pro sports stars in Thailand can go bad.

[biscuitz]

this drive by robbery is happening in all of thailands resorts, targeting women with shoulder/handbags

[Svadhistana]

1) Muay Thai don't repay

or

2) Muay Thai fighters are exploited

or

3) Muay Thai fighters squander what they gain

or

4) Muay Thai fighters got hit way too much

or

.......any further clue?

[TheWalkingMan]

I am wondering the same thing. How much money can a Muay Thai star earn?

TheWalkingMan

[MaiChai]

Glad to see the Thai police doing their job properly. It gives me greater confidence to know that those who break the law will be caught and punished and the rest of us who abide by the laws have the police to keep us safe from criminals.

After all the red shirt demonstrations there really is a need to re-align the police back to their basic function which is law enforce and protecting law abiding citizens from criminals. I really felt we were dropping into a state of anarchy where no one was protected. Hopefully the government can remove the bad apples in the police.

[Eurod]

Glad to see the Thai police doing their job properly. It gives me greater confidence to know that those who break the law will be caught and punished and the rest of us who abide by the laws have the police to keep us safe from criminals.

After all the red shirt demonstrations there really is a need to re-align the police back to their basic function which is law enforce and protecting law abiding citizens from criminals. I really felt we were dropping into a state of anarchy where no one was protected. Hopefully the government can remove the bad apples in the police.

Are you on drugs ? Bad Apples !!! Ha!!!!!

The whole system is massively corrupt from the Top down... even the new top Police boss in Phuket only got his job because he offered the most money ( 9 million baht) ... a few bad apples.. please .. oh yes, if the "tea money" goes up ( which it will) its because he wants hs 9 mill back before New year..

[jackdawson]

aren't all muay thai boxers criminals ?

[AsiaCheese]

I am wondering the same thing. How much money can a Muay Thai star earn?

TheWalkingMan

More to the point: how much can a Muay Thai star spend? Unlimited (that is, until there's nothing left to spend)...

[toptuan]

I am wondering the same thing. How much money can a Muay Thai star earn?

Not much, considering they are champions of Thailand's national sport. Watching a typical televised Lumpini bout, I see the winner regularly awarded sums between 5,000 and 10,000 baht. Once in a great while, you'll see sums as high as 15K or 20K given out as awards. Not quite European football, US baseball or NBA league financial status.

You'll remember that in the movie "Beautiful Boxer" Parinya, a star Thai boxer, worked most of his/her professional sports career just to earn enough for a sex-change operation, which is not an extravagant expense in Thailand, by Western standards.

I live just a few kilometers from a national Muay Thai champion who reached his zenith 4-5 years ago. His home and living standard remains humble, indeed. However, villagers still speak his name in hushed, reverent tones. His honor among peers and neighbors is no less than any other champion. So sad to see the subject of this thread throw away even that much, if he is convicted.

Edited May 29, 2010 by toptuan

[TheLaughingMan]

I am wondering the same thing. How much money can a Muay Thai star earn?

TheWalkingMan

More to the point: how much can a Muay Thai star spend? Unlimited (that is, until there's nothing left to spend)...

Ignorance. Muay Thai fighters make crap. Someone mentioned seeing them awarded 20k. NO. They might have won 20k but the camp will take half to most of it depending on their situation. They are exploited. Exchamps will land up getting crap jobs selling water for 5 baht on the corner. Not that these guys robbing women deserve any sympathy whatsoever.

[brahmburgers]

this drive by robbery is happening in all of thailands resorts, targeting women with shoulder/handbags

We've got resorts up here in Chiang Rai, but haven't heard of any such crime here.