Still no extradition request for Phuket fugitive arrested a month ago

[webfact]

Still no extradition request for Phuket fugitive arrested a month ago
Phuket Gazette


Jantra Weangta was found stabbed through the heart in Taylor’s Chalong bungalow. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- One month after his arrest in the Philippines, the extradition of British fugitive Michael John Taylor, also known as “Mick the Pom”, wanted in Phuket on murder charges, appears to be at a standstill.

Phuket’s top cop Maj Gen Ong-art Phiewruangnont says he has no knowledge of the case, and the officer in charge of it, Lt Col Danprai Kaewwehol of the Phuket Provincial Police, has said that he fully supports bringing Mr Taylor back to Thailand and will talk to a prosecutor.

Repeated calls to Lt Col Danprai since March 11, five days after Mr Taylor’s arrest by Filipino police on visa overstay charges, have gone unanswered or yielded no information.

Phuket’s Chief Public Prosecutor Chiengsean Panhya explained that he could not pursue the extradition without a formal request from the police.

“I don’t have the authority to pursue it unless the police ask me to. Our office is not even permitted to ask the police to file such a request,” Mr Chiengsean said.

“However, once they do, the next step would be for us to forward the case to the Office of the Attorney General in Bangkok, and it would then be in their hands to get Mr Taylor back to Thailand to face justice.”

Mr Taylor, 50, is wanted for the 2004 stabbing murder of his girlfriend Jantra Weangta, 27, in Chalong. Ms Jantra was found dead in Mr Taylor’s rented bungalow on August 17 (story here). Mid-way through his 2006 trial, Mr Taylor disappeared (story here).

Taylor’s arrest came after long delays and inaction by Phuket law enforcement authorities under the previous Provincial Police Commander Choti Chavalwivat, who had been informed of his whereabouts last year (story here).

Col Danprai told the Phuket Gazette last week that he had been unable to follow up on Mr Taylor’s case with the public prosecutor.

“We are very busy identifying [missing Russian expat] Mr Slabinskiy. Please give us some time. We will get back on the Taylor case as soon as possible,” he said on Thursday.

— Chutharat Plerin

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Still-extradition-request-Phuket-fugitive-arrested-month/29069#ad-image-0


-- Phuket Gazette 2014-04-08

[zydeco]

Please tell me that this does not mean the police are only able to work one case at a time.

“We are very busy identifying [missing Russian expat] Mr Slabinskiy. Please give us some time. We will get back on the Taylor case as soon as possible,” he said on Thursday.

[toonsai]

“We are very busy identifying [missing Russian expat] Mr Slabinskiy. Please give us some time. We will get back on the Taylor case as soon as possible,” he said on Thursday"

Completely amazing TIT. They are also busy tracking down the culprits trading fake passports? Busy taking care of the road safety, especially double decks on Patong hills?

The whole Phuket police squad working on this case? How many people are there at Phuket police station? 2?

Seriously, how can they give such poor excuses. Really, shame is not part of their World. Don't they lose face releasing such poor statements?

Edited April 8, 2014 by toonsai

[justaphase]

The girl was obviously not rich enough. Sad.

[Travel Dude]

Col. Danprai dies not seem that good at multi tasking...

[klauskunkel]

Col Danprai told the Phuket Gazette last week that he had been unable to follow up on Mr Taylor’s case with the public prosecutor. “We are very busy identifying [missing Russian expat] Mr Slabinskiy. Please give us some time. We will get back on the Taylor case as soon as possible,” he said on Thursday.

Totally understandable. The good Pol Col can't do the above because of the below...

Missing Phuket Russian's family increase rewards for kidnappers' arrests

In addition, the family is offering a reward of B300,000 that will go to the police officer who arrests the two men.

[bangarang]

So it sounds like for the right price they will do the work.

[godden]

Thais can't multi task

[canopus1969]

Phuket’s top cop Maj Gen Ong-art Phiewruangnont says he has no knowledge of the case

What a plonker

[stevenl]

If I recall correctly it is unclear the guy has even been arrested.

[BestBitterPhuket]

No reward for arresting that scumbag I guess. Should be the easiest thing in the world but the police is again proving useless.

[Valentine]

Pretty pathetic excuses.

[DLP]

As per usual its all down to the money.

[CiaranO]

If I recall correctly it is unclear the guy has even been arrested.

I believe you are right - I am wondering whether the PG has actually done any investigation into this. I did read somewhere he was arrested on an immigration matter but money talks in the Philippines too and I am sure its been resolved.

[NamKangMan]

If I recall correctly it is unclear the guy has even been arrested.

I believe you are right - I am wondering whether the PG has actually done any investigation into this. I did read somewhere he was arrested on an immigration matter but money talks in the Philippines too and I am sure its been resolved.

From memory, the other article mentioned his whereabouts was known, but he was not in custody.

The brief of evidence would already be complete. All it takes is the signing of the application and the Philippines Police can arrest him and he can be extradited.

He's probably relocated now.

Gross incompetence.

[Som wat]

Col. Danprai dies not seem that good at multi tasking...

They say that for locals, that is existing and thinking at the same time.

[retarius]

Seems that there is no money in this for the Phuket police so they can't be bothered to seek extradition....marvellous stuff. You couldn't make it up.