DSI boss warns Phuket's 'influential people'

[webfact]

DSI boss warns Phuket's 'influential people'

Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan

Tarit Pengdith, director of the Department of Special Investigation.

PHUKET: -- Tarit Pengdith, director of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) opened the new Transnational Crime Coordination Center (TCCC) at Phuket International Airport with a bang this morning.

More precisely, the bang was a shot across the bows as he named 11 “influential” people and organisations in Phuket, warning them that the DSI was keeping an eye on them and that they should stop doing anything bad that they might be doing.

Mr Tharit, reading from a hand-written list, then named five individuals and six groups, many of them involved in the island’s taxi and tuk-tuk industries.

Mr Tarit “We are keeping our eyes on these people and groups. We have disclosed their names to warn them that if they are doing anything wrong, they need to stop doing it.

“If they do not stop then we will have to take legal action against them.”

One of the individuals named was Preechawuth “Prap” Keesin, son of the Mayor of Patong.

He told The Phuket News this afternoon, “If they accuse me of being an influential figure, then I have to explain [the truth] to them. And I don’t know exactly what ‘influential figure’ means. What does it mean?

“If it refers to the groups of taxis of whom I am president, and the fact that I know lots of people, does that make me ‘influential’?

“I always cooperate with the government whenever they contact me or ask me to help. I always help them plan the taxi system. I also set up a training system for taxi drivers and I always tell my taxi groups to be polite to their customers.

“I pay the rental fee for Jungceylon every month, since my taxi stand is inside the Jungceylon [grounds], not outside. I have done everything by the book and I always talk with officials.”

Mr Tharit said that his Phuket Airport-based officrs had already been hard at work. “Since the center opened this morning [at 6am] we’ve already caught about 20 black taxi drivers. We will fine them, and we have also recorded their details so we can investigate their background to see who is behind them.”

He also said that the DSI investigation into foreign-operated companies with illegal Thai nominee shareholders continues and “We already have some evidence. But we need to do more work on this

Also at this morning’s press conference was Sqn Ldr Sitha Tiwaree, Chairman of Airports of Thailand Ltd (AoT). He explained that the taxi system at the airport would be radically reorganised.

For a start, the limousine concessions – a nice earner for the airport but also controversial – will not be renewed. They expired at the end of June. Instead, 550 cars will be authorised to work from the airport.

“We probably have to organise the system by ourselves using the system at Suvarnabhumi Airport [in Bangkok] as the model – we have had no complaints about that system.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/dsi-boss-warns-phuket%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98influential-people%E2%80%99-41321.php

-- Phuket News 2013-08-10

[dudu]

[clockman]

It looks as if all the negative reporting, is starting to effect tourism! and people pockets!

[LivinginKata]

That sums it up. I really hope this is for real and not just lip service.

[retell]

finally i reckon that this day would become a national holiday to celebrate the event

[retell]

finally i reckon that this day would become a national holiday to celebrate the event

beat you to it not shit hits the fan day he

[NamKangMan]

It looks as if all the negative reporting, is starting to effect tourism! and people pockets!

Well, the island was being mismanaged and losing money, despite inbound tourist numbers being up.

The rot needs to be stopped before Phuket becomes another Costa del Sol.

[andreandre]

That sums it up. I really hope this is for real and not just lip service.

There's a huge job ahead of them, i really hope that they succeed in all areas of concern, They will need to be ruthless and uncompromising in their actions.

This place has gone so far downhill in a relatively short time, and the fix isn't going to be ''overnight" but its a start in the right direction...

[andreandre]

Presume its all part of this , jus tnear police box ,beach road top of Bangla..a hundred or more BIB's at attention [a pep talk maybe] and a lot of guys in full camo gear [presume army] all circulating the streets..a show of force ?

[Jimi007]

That sums it up. I really hope this is for real and not just lip service.

There's a huge job ahead of them, i really hope that they succeed in all areas of concern, They will need to be ruthless and uncompromising in their actions.

This place has gone so far downhill in a relatively short time, and the fix isn't going to be ''overnight" but its a start in the right direction...

I totally agree! I remember when Suvarnabhumi had to start over on the taxi rank. There was a big problem at the airport with protests.

Then there are the illegal land titles here to deal with, along with the Or Bor Tors who condone through payoffs for encroachment on the beach, over building with no sewer or infrastructure improvements, etc... I really hope they are serious and will be in it for the LONG run! We can only hope...

[Jimi007]

Presume its all part of this , jus tnear police box ,beach road top of Bangla..a hundred or more BIB's at attention [a pep talk maybe] and a lot of guys in full camo gear [presume army] all circulating the streets..a show of force ?

I guess you didn't read that the top Royal Thai Police General was flying by from BKK by helicopter into Patong tonight to tour Soi Bangla tonight? Check the local news sources...

[MAJIC]

It may not be sensible to issue pre-emptive warnings,but you have to admire the DSI Bosses Courage!

[NamKangMan]

It may not be sensible to issue pre-emptive warnings,but you have to admire the DSI Bosses Courage!

Maybe this is warning to the "influential people" that the DSI want in on the action. :)

[andreandre]

It may not be sensible to issue pre-emptive warnings,but you have to admire the DSI Bosses Courage!

Maybe this is warning to the "influential people" that the DSI want in on the action.

From "Prap".... this is comedy gold;

One of the individuals named was Preechawuth “Prap” Keesin, son of the Mayor of Patong.

He told The Phuket News this afternoon, “If they accuse me of being an influential figure, then I have to explain [the truth] to them. And I don’t know exactly what ‘influential figure’ means. What does it mean?

[Guest]

From "Prap".... this is comedy gold;

One of the individuals named was Preechawuth “Prap” Keesin, son of the Mayor of Patong.

He told The Phuket News this afternoon, “If they accuse me of being an influential figure, then I have to explain [the truth] to them. And I don’t know exactly what ‘influential figure’ means. What does it mean?

That sounds pretty much that he shit himself. Nothing funny about that or the person. Absolutely nothing.

Just bury these people with their peers and forget they ever existed. Then create new Phuket.

[sscsamui]

Stop warning them over and over and Bust them and fine them an amount that will make them think twice and then Lock them up.... Daaaa

[alfalfa19]

Methinks they are serious. I like this quote by one of the offenders: "I have done everything by the book and I always talk with officials." Well, I guess 50% truthful is better than nothing.

Edited August 9, 2013 by alfalfa19

[chooka]

"warning them that the DSI was keeping an eye on them and that they should stop doing anything bad that they might be doing".

If they are doing something wrong why tell them they are being watched / investigated?

They want to arrest someone so they make it public saying things like, "We have an arrest warrant for Mr XXX, the media contingent has been organised and we will be raiding his home on the 14th of October at 2 p.m, when we have finished lunch. Damn he has absconded and his whereabouts are unknown. Good job everyone and the next case is?

All this is doing is telling them to revise their business plans and not to make it so obvious as it is not good for Thailand's image and kick backs are in jeopardy.

The well publicised luxury car scam worth millions in taxes, all parties fully warned and kept up to date with the investigation which resulted in the arrest of two brothers. A penalty was negotiated between the investigators and criminals and a small fine imposed. The criminals walk away very satisfied and the DSI justify their existence for another week.

If they were really serious they wouldn't broadcast their investigations, they would be in there boots and all arresting these influential people and publically displaying them in front of the media. 150 police officers standing behind a well to do influential type, grinning like a Cheshire cats. The prominent person handcuffed and shackled in front the country just like they do with the peasants and Farangs.

[chooka]

Methinks they are serious. I like this quote by one of the offenders: "I have done everything by the book and I always talk with officials." Well, I guess 50% truthful is better than nothing.

The book of corruption and they are fully briefed on the investigation so I guess he is 100% correct.

[IrishIvan]

We might even get a few of the old expats moving back from Pattaya

[Somtamnication]

Let's be positive, folks. The DSI centers at the airport and Phuket Town will operate well and efficiently............. until the taxi drivers sent by influential people surround the offices, close the airport exits and force them to flee back to BKK.

[andreandre]

From "Prap".... this is comedy gold;

One of the individuals named was Preechawuth “Prap” Keesin, son of the Mayor of Patong.

He told The Phuket News this afternoon, “If they accuse me of being an influential figure, then I have to explain [the truth] to them. And I don’t know exactly what ‘influential figure’ means. What does it mean?

That sounds pretty much that he shit himself. Nothing funny about that or the person. Absolutely nothing.

Just bury these people with their peers and forget they ever existed. Then create new Phuket.

ahhh yes , i meant funny in the way that he obviously reacted....[as you so succinctly put it..he shit himself] that's funny in my eyes...

[NamKangMan]

Methinks they are serious. I like this quote by one of the offenders: "I have done everything by the book and I always talk with officials." Well, I guess 50% truthful is better than nothing.

The trouble is, he wrote the book. :)

[NamKangMan]

We might even get a few of the old expats moving back from Pattaya

And if nothing still changes, we might see even more leaving for Pattaya.

Ahhh, the power of cheap beer and cheap transport. :)

[stevenl]

From what I read it was far more than a warning and they are on the list of persons to be investigated. But even if it were just a warning, it is unprecedented that the most powerful people of Phuket are warned of this way.

Edited August 10, 2013 by stevenl

[ezzra]

In addition to name and shame, it should be followed very quickly with arrest and prosecute,

and the sooner, the better.

[deecee10]

Talking the talk is one thing.

[NamKangMan]

In addition to name and shame, it should be followed very quickly with arrest and prosecute,

and the sooner, the better.

Or quickly followed by a defamation lawsuit. :)

[darren84310]

It's quite simple.

Taxis should be made to use meters. Obviously they can't afford to operate at the same rate as Bangkok, but they could easily devise a tariff that is fair to all.

Bangkok is 35 baht for the 1st kilometer + 5 baht per kilometer after, and then rising after about 20km and so on.

Places like Phuket, Samui, Pattaya, Hua Hin, etc.

Could maybe just double this tariff.

Very simple and fair to all.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work it all out... does it?

[jacko45k]

From "Prap".... this is comedy gold;

One of the individuals named was Preechawuth Prap Keesin, son of the Mayor of Patong.

He told The Phuket News this afternoon, If they accuse me of being an influential figure, then I have to explain [the truth] to them. And I dont know exactly what influential figure means. What does it mean?

That sounds pretty much that he shit himself. Nothing funny about that or the person. Absolutely nothing.

Just bury these people with their peers and forget they ever existed. Then create new Phuket.

I am not sure he is that worried...... just a bit of obfuscation and waffle.

These guys never really get punished here....