Phuket businessman denies being multi-million-baht extortion artist, blames official

[webfact]

Phuket man denies being multi-million-baht extortion artist, blames official
Phuket Gazette


Mr Chart speaking at the media gathering. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A Phuket businessman and adviser to the Thailand Trade Organization turned around allegations of being a Patong extortion artist today, pointing his finger at a government official.

However, Chart Chindapol was unwilling to name the official, who he claimed raked in 50 million baht a month, pocketing 3 million for himself.

A letter accusing Mr Chart of “distressing, threatening and persecuting local entrepreneurs” was sent to the Phuket Media Association on July 23 and signed off by the Association for Honest Patong Entrepreneurs.

The letter alleged that Mr Chart bragged of having local government officials, police and media all under his control, and therefore was able to engage in his extortion practices more effectively.

“I know who wrote the letter and why the letter was written,” Mr Chart said. “This individual is a local government officer, who has been impacted by the anti-corruption project that I initiated. But I cannot reveal the person’s name at this time.”

“I personally have received many complaints from Patong business owners about local government officers demanding extortion money, totaling about 50 million baht a month. This corrupt official skims about 3 million baht off of this a month,” Mr Chart alleged.

Patong business owners bribe officials, from 17 local government offices, to overlook closing times for night-entertainment venues, the selling of pirated goods, the use of illegal workers and so on, Mr Chart said.

Mr Chart also cast his doubt over the authenticity of his accusers, the Association for Honest Patong Entrepreneurs, which he said was not a registered Patong association.

He also took his moment in the media spotlight to promoste the Patong Special Administration Zone (story here), which he said would adjust the laws in the party town in a way that would cut back on the amount of corruption.

“Mindful that nightlife in Patong only really gets going at around 8pm, we could extend opening hours of entertainment establishments. Then business owners can be fairly taxed by the government, which is a preferable alternative to paying local officials under the table,” he said.

The Phuket Gazette contacted Phuket Provincial Police Commander Choti Chavalviwat to comment on the furore.

“We have not heard of this case. However, if somebody wishes to file a police complaint, an investigation would be started,” Maj Gen Choti. “We would of course provide fairness to all parties.”

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-man-denies-being-multi-million-baht-extortion-artist-blames-official-22059.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-08-24

[Songhua]

The cat really is among the chickens now. Listen very carefully Phuket - businesses are tired of the extortion, expats are tired of corruption and the tourists are tired of the scams. They've got ambassadors visiting from Bangkok, consuls breathing down their necks, DSI hot on their tails, and now the locals themselves are catching on.

The spotlight is on and they're running in all directions having a peck at each other. Good, about time - take the hint.

[eezergood]

IT wasnt me sir, some bigger boys made me do it!

I didnt really want that new Rolex ka!

[alfalfa19]

This is great. The rats are beginning to feed on each other. I hope this continues and escalates.

[KarenBravo]

Action so far:-

Crack-down on foreign over-stayers and work-permit violations (plays well to the Thais).

Crack-down on black-taxis (helps the taxi and tuk-tuk cartels).

Still allowing taxis from the cartel to set up outside hotels and resorts.

The governor declaring that he is now satisfied that the jet-ski situation has been resolved.

The complaints centre at the airport is virtually impossible to find and is manned by a single person that won't record complaints.

Giving criminals notice of when they will be "doing" something. Time to move money and get stories straight.

It's very obvious what is happening.

[NamKangMan]

Action so far:-

Crack-down on foreign over-stayers and work-permit violations (plays well to the Thais).

Crack-down on black-taxis (helps the taxi and tuk-tuk cartels).

Still allowing taxis from the cartel to set up outside hotels and resorts.

The governor declaring that he is now satisfied that the jet-ski situation has been resolved.

The complaints centre at the airport is virtually impossible to find and is manned by a single person that won't record complaints.

Giving criminals notice of when they will be "doing" something. Time to move money and get stories straight.

It's very obvious what is happening.

That's pretty much the way I see it as well KB.

I will not get my hopes up for positive change here. At the moment, there is a lot of talk - but talk will not correct the many "issues" here, neither will locking up a few scapegoats.

There will be the usual press release stating all is now fixed - but in reality, nothing has changed.

Phuket needs an overhaul, and I would suggest, Thai Army intervention to provide safety and security until free market trade is running on the island.

I just can't see it happening.

Edited August 24, 2013 by NamKangMan

[spidermike007]

Action so far:-

Crack-down on foreign over-stayers and work-permit violations (plays well to the Thais).

Crack-down on black-taxis (helps the taxi and tuk-tuk cartels).

Still allowing taxis from the cartel to set up outside hotels and resorts.

The governor declaring that he is now satisfied that the jet-ski situation has been resolved.

The complaints centre at the airport is virtually impossible to find and is manned by a single person that won't record complaints.

Giving criminals notice of when they will be "doing" something. Time to move money and get stories straight.

It's very obvious what is happening.

That's pretty much the way I see it as well KB.

I will not get my hopes up for positive change here. At the moment, there is a lot of talk - but talk will not correct the many "issues" here, neither will locking up a few scapegoats.

There will be the usual press release stating all is now fixed - but in reality, nothing has changed.

Phuket needs an overhaul, and I would suggest, Thai Army intervention to provide safety and security until free market trade is running on the island.

I just can't see it happening.

Yes, change takes will, heart, desire, gumption, courage, a strong character, and a willingness to admit that there was a problem to begin with. In addition it takes competent law enforcement, a competent judiciary, which cannot be easily

bought and paid for, and a willingness, and ability on the part of law enforcement, to do their part. How much of this picture do you see in place? How many components? Change will happen when the Thai people demand it. Until now, they seem complacent, and willing to put up with the nonsense perpetrated by insect vampires, who suck the blood of society. Nobody seems to care. Where is the Anna Hazare of Thailand?

[steelepulse]

>>“We would of course provide fairness to all parties.”

I'll file this under joke of the month as fairness is measured in thickness of envelopes, not letter of the law.

[NamKangMan]

Action so far:-

Crack-down on foreign over-stayers and work-permit violations (plays well to the Thais).

Crack-down on black-taxis (helps the taxi and tuk-tuk cartels).

Still allowing taxis from the cartel to set up outside hotels and resorts.

The governor declaring that he is now satisfied that the jet-ski situation has been resolved.

The complaints centre at the airport is virtually impossible to find and is manned by a single person that won't record complaints.

Giving criminals notice of when they will be "doing" something. Time to move money and get stories straight.

It's very obvious what is happening.

That's pretty much the way I see it as well KB.

I will not get my hopes up for positive change here. At the moment, there is a lot of talk - but talk will not correct the many "issues" here, neither will locking up a few scapegoats.

There will be the usual press release stating all is now fixed - but in reality, nothing has changed.

Phuket needs an overhaul, and I would suggest, Thai Army intervention to provide safety and security until free market trade is running on the island.

I just can't see it happening.

Yes, change takes will, heart, desire, gumption, courage, a strong character, and a willingness to admit that there was a problem to begin with. In addition it takes competent law enforcement, a competent judiciary, which cannot be easily

bought and paid for, and a willingness, and ability on the part of law enforcement, to do their part. How much of this picture do you see in place? How many components? Change will happen when the Thai people demand it. Until now, they seem complacent, and willing to put up with the nonsense perpetrated by insect vampires, who suck the blood of society. Nobody seems to care. Where is the Anna Hazare of Thailand?

"change takes will, heart, desire, gumption, courage, a strong character, and a willingness to admit that there was a problem" - unfortunately, I think REAL change here will also take a lot of blood to be spilt on the streets of Phuket.

Edited August 24, 2013 by NamKangMan

[NamKangMan]

>>“We would of course provide fairness to all parties.”

I'll file this under joke of the month as fairness is measured in thickness of envelopes, not letter of the law.

I think the "letter" of the law here is the "envelope."

[jpeg]

It's often reported that the 'War on Drugs' has been proven a failure and now legalisation has been called for. So with this in mind, how about aborting some of our home grown sources of nefarious income.

Has the stupidity that is the closing times - 2 am on a holiday island - reduced crime. No. Jetski scams/ Get rid of them. They're noisy obnoxious and supposedly illegal. Much like prostitution. Tuk tuk/black taxi 'mafia'? Introduce a public transport system and realistically priced taxi fares.

Voila! At least three sources of income for the entrenched corrupt here wiped out at a stroke. So won't happen.

Edited August 24, 2013 by jpeg

[Gsxrnz]

Loved the comment "Then business owners can be fairly taxed by the government, which is a preferable alternative to paying local officials under the table,”

Such insight is a rare commodity in Thailand.

[Suffinator]

You watch them as this unravels; they'll all be pointing the finger at one another - http://meebal.com/phuket-corruption-begins-to-unravel-as-those-accused-start-pointing-the-finger/

[lee b]

Phuket businessman admits being------Yeah sure like that will happen !

[LivinginKata]

Troll post removed.