Phuket to get Organised Crime Centre – DSI boss

[webfact]

Phuket to get Organised Crime Centre – DSI boss

PHUKET: -- Phuket, along with Pattaya, is to get a Centre for Control of Organised Crime, the Director of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) – often described as Thailand’s equivalent of the FBI – announced yesterday morning (July 25).

The Director, Tarit Pengdith, said that the centre would open within to weeks, with two offices – one at the Transport Department and one in Phuket Town, staffed by officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports; the DSI; the National Police Office; and Phuket Provincial authorities.

Contact details are not yet available but once the Centre is open, it will be open to receive information and complaints 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Mr Tarit was one of the leaders of a heavy-hitting crew of about 40 officials who arrived in Phuket to begin an attempt to bring lawlessness among taxis and tuk-tuks to an end, and to crack down on companies with nominee shareholders, starting with Russian-invested firms. Also heading the team was Somsak Pureesrisak, Minister of Tourism & Sports.

The DSI boss said, “The DSI has two main responsibilities [in Phuket], cracking down on ‘mafia’ activities and on foreign-run companies with nominee Thai shareholders.”

He denied there was duplication of work being done by other departments. “We haven’t tried to grab cases from other departments such as the National Police or the Tourist Police. This is not duplication; it is work in which all departments should help one another.”

After breakfast at the airport, the officials, along with Vice-Governor Jamroen Tippayapongtada listened to a briefing from airport officials on future development of the airport and on problems with unlicensed “black” taxis.

The delegation then headed for Phuket Provincial Hall for discussions about black taxis and illegally incorporated companies. They were met by a delegation from the island’s registered taxi and tuk-tuk drivers, reinforcing the message that they are fed up with black operators encroaching on their territory and “stealing” their customers.

The high profile visit has ruffled feathers in the province. On Wednesday (July 24) Governor Maitree Intusut said in a conversation with The Phuket News that there seemed to be a lack of communication between Bangkok and his office.

Gov Maitree was unable to join yesterday’s meeting because he had another in Bangkok, after being originally informed that the meeting in Phuket would be today (July 26). By the time the date for the Phuket visit was moved forward, he was already committed to the Bangkok meeting.

“The DSI should talk with us and have the same information base as Phuket officials or me,” the Governor said. “I realise they may have more in-depth information, but they should talk with me.

“And, if the DSI or the Ministry of Tourism & Sport get complaints about Phuket, they should contact Phuket officials.

“Actually, we should all be working together.”

Asked whether the establishment of the new Centre for Control of Organised Crime meant that Bangkok was worried that the Phuket provincial authorities could not handle the growing criminality on the island, Mr Tarit said, “No. But the DSI is able to apply the law more rigorously than the provincial officials.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-to-get-organised-crime-centre-dsi-boss-40985.php

-- Phuket News 2013-07-25

[Zpete]

Love the local governor's whinging.
He is gunna lose lotsa tea monies.
Beat the mafiosi, only if outside officials stay clean and do the job.

Locals obviously are not.

[whybother]

Phuket to get Organised Crime Centre

Don't they already use the police station to organise crime?

[webfact]

Tourist protection centre set up in Phuket
By English News



PHUKET, July 25 - Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry and other relevant agencies have set up a tourist protection centre on the Andaman Sea tourist island, targeting to improve safety in tourism as well as to tackle mafia-related problems, including black plate (illegal) taxi operators.

The centre will be jointly operated by the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Phuket officials, and provincial police and tourist police, aiming to provide safety for visitors around the clock.

Minister Somsak Pureesrisak and DSI director-general Tarit Pengdith on Thursday attended a meeting with Phuket vice governors Sommai Preechasilp and Chamroen Tipayapongtada as well as other officials to work out a plan to resolve the long-standing problems of illegal actions which harm the tourism industry and tourists.

The DSI earlier compiled relevant data on the resort island and found that ongoing problems were related scams, illegal foreign-owned business and black-plate taxi operators who force tourists to use their service with overcharged fares.

Mr Tarit admitted that the black-plate taxi services were a long standing problem. During the two-week survey, the authorities found as many as 15 gangs have been operating the black-plate service as well as problems related to illegal foreign-owned business run through Thai nominees.

The DSI will strictly enforce Thailand's criminal and anti money-laundering laws in order to end the problems. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-07-25

[FireMedic]

Any bets how long it will take to investigate and any arrests made?

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

and heres me thinking Phuket already was an organised crime center

Edited July 25, 2013 by GirlDrinkDrunk

[klauskunkel]

He denied there was duplication of work being done by other departments.

He is absolutely right, there can be no duplication of work, since other departments don't do any police work at all.

[pomchop]

They were met by a delegation from the islands registered taxi and tuk-tuk drivers, reinforcing the message that they are fed up with black operators encroaching on their territory and stealing their customers.

How DARE you gouge the tourists before we the "legal" tuk tuks GOUGE them?

[Payboy]

Phuket to get Organised Crime Centre – DSI boss

“Actually, we should all be working together.”

'Nuff said.

[Kananga]

Yeah, they are going to call it parliment.

[Basil B]

Pattaya already has an Organised Crime Centre it is called City Hall...

[Just1Voice]

In the U.S.A., among certain circles, the FBI is referred to as the Fumbling, Bumbling Idiots, and the CIA as the Criminally Insane A**holes. So, if we applied the same to the DSI here in LOS, would that be something like - Dumbfounded Stumbling Idiots? Please feel free to make up and submit your own.

As for the already mafia run tuk-tuk and taxi services, I have 3 words. Meters. Use them!

Jet Ski Mafia - License, and force to have insurance, or shut them down.

So called "Tourist Police"". Fire every one of their useless butts.

The list is endless. Let's just hope the DSI is actually serious about this, and actually does some good, and that it's not all just "window dressing" for "face" in the eyes of the international community.

[Pikeybkk]

bravo and at the same time, shut down al, the time share scum, the english run boiler rooms, kick out the bikers etc etc, let he who is without sin...etc etc

[Sharp]

If it sounds to good to be true it .....well we know the rest ..

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[upena]

Another "solution" that doesn't solve the problems

[Baerboxer]

" Mr Tarit said, “No. But the DSI is able to apply the law more rigorously than the provincial officials"

As long has his politcal masters allow him too that is. Connected won't be affected !

[Bagwan]

Any bets how long it will take to investigate and any arrests made?

90 days

[hellodolly]

Phuket to get Organised Crime Centre

Don't they already use the police station to organise crime?

Yes but they are talking about the criminal mafia's. According to the headline they are going to get there own Crime Center.

I guess they did not want to share with the BIB

[ktm jeff]

Phuket already has an "organised crime center" its called the mafia taxi ranks

[webfact]

DSI gives Phuket mafia 15 days to pack up shop
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdith today leveled a warning at all mafia operating in Phuket: cease and desist within 15 days – or else.

Mr Tarit arrived in Phuket this morning with Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak and a team of about 10 DSI officials to launch a crackdown specifically targeting illegal taxi drivers and foreigners using Thai nominees in order to illegally maintain control over companies.

The crackdown follows Minister Somsak seeking assistance from the DSI – Thailand’s equivalent to the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – in curtailing what he called “mafia gangs” operating in Phuket.

Minister Somsak also specifically identified Russians as a target group who hired Thais as nominees to run restaurants, souvenir shops and beach-bed rental services that exploited tourists (story here).

However, at a meeting with about 40 local officials at Provincial Hall today, Mr Tarit openly expanded his warning to all mafia operating on the island.

“We’re setting up an Organized Crime Center for Tourism at Phuket International Airport, which will open within 15 days,” he said.

After August 9, the center will receive any complaints about operators extorting money from tourists – including overcharging for taxi fares – as well as any reports of money laundering and persons being involved in criminal associations.

The center, to be open 24 hours, will be staffed by officers from the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the DSI, local government and police, Mr Tarit said.

“After the Phuket center is open, we will open one in Pattaya. Then we will seek to have a law passed to specifically protect tourists from being cheated,” Mr Tarit said.

“Whoever we find breaking the law will be charged and all relevant properties will be seized while we conduct our investigation,” he warned.

“To all mafia and all officials involved, we’re giving you one last chance to make everything right. After 15 days from now, if you want to keep going, then just try it,” Mr Tarit said.

At the meeting at Provincial Hall today, Minister Somsak said the DSI should be supported by a law specifically designed to protect foreigners from being pressured into a taxi before the fare has been set and to prevent tourists from being taken to souvenir shops without their permission.

After the meeting, the DSI task force headed off to inspect sites in Patong.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/DSI-gives-Phuket-mafia-15-days-to-pack-up-shop-21753.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-07-26

[kotsak]

and if they fail to pack shop, give them another 15 days.. rinse and repeat.. TIT

[Katipo]

I thought the crime was already very organised in Phuket. Why do they need a Centre to organise it further? A waste of taxpayer baht if you ask me.

[Soupdragon]

Make these guys use public transport to get around at full fare rates. They will soon get the message as to what a rip off the systems in place here are.

[eezergood]

I have an idea, why not make Phuket the HUB for anti (fill in the blanks at your discression) for Thailand?.......

[Traveling Sailor]

"Asked whether the establishment of the new Centre for Control of Organised Crime meant that Bangkok was worried that the Phuket provincial authorities could not handle the growing criminality on the island, Mr Tarit said, “No. But the DSI is able to apply the law more rigorously than the provincial officials.” "

I wonder why that is.

[chooka]

This is what happens when you have a cabinet reshuffle. Chalerm cleaned out all the mafia and washed the place down in 90 days and now it appears they are back.

[Pops]

Quote:

The DSI boss said, “The DSI has two main responsibilities [in Phuket], cracking down on ‘mafia’ activities and on foreign-run companies with nominee Thai shareholders.”

A center for Control of Organized Crime by the DSI (The Thai FBI) in Phuket.

Since when are foreign-run companies with nominee Thai shareholders Organized Crime.

They are illegal, yes, but Organized Crime ??

[jpeg]

Quote:

The DSI boss said, “The DSI has two main responsibilities [in Phuket], cracking down on ‘mafia’ activities and on foreign-run companies with nominee Thai shareholders.”

A center for Control of Organized Crime by the DSI (The Thai FBI) in Phuket.

Since when are foreign-run companies with nominee Thai shareholders Organized Crime.

They are illegal, yes, but Organized Crime ??

They mean: Oh sht! We never realised the Russians would be such a problem! How to get rid of them? Um, er ....

[mikebell]

Pattaya already has an Organised Crime Centre it is called City Hall...

I thought it was Pattaya Police Station?

[slapout]

Tarit following his script, 'you have 15 days ' and we are coming to get you. He served notice to the non taxed auto owners/sellers, the wayward monk, as well as others, giving all time to cover tracks, remove/shift property, money, etc.

Guess he has never heard of a no knock search warrent, siezure of suspect property, money, etc. I think the " deputy Fife" of the Andy Griffith show, is a better comparsion than the FBI.