Phuket police plan second wave of mass taxi-related arrests

[webfact]

Phuket police plan second wave of mass taxi-related arrests
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Pol Maj Gen Paween Pongsirin, Commander of the General Staff Division.

PHUKET: -- Following the mass arrests of taxi drivers on June 4 that netted 110 people , including the Mayor of Karon, Tawee Thongcham, the police, backed by the Army, are preparing a second, similar, drive tomorrow (June 25).

This time the targets will be corrupt officials and politicians linked to the taxi and tuk-tuk industry.

Pol Maj Gen Paween Pongsirin, Commander of the General Staff Division, Provincial Police Region 8, told The Phuket News, “We are ready to move on the politicians and officials.”

He said that examination of bank accounts had revealed huge amounts of money. “The highest number we found in one account was more than B100 million,” he said.

“We will attack and arrest them, suddenly and immediately, tomorrow. In the afternoon we will hold a press conference to reveal the results.”

He said that after the initial arrests on June 4 investigators from the Anti Money Laundering Office had found “huge” amounts of money connected to “mafia” taxi drivers and their masters.

On June 9, Gen Paween’s boss, Regional Commissioner Lt Gen Panya Mamen, put the amount of money discovered in arrested taxi drivers’ accounts at “hundreds of millions of baht” and said that police believe much of this money was obtained dishonestly, and there may be a lot more out there.

“Collecting of background information will be clear in two or three weeks. Some of [the taxi drivers] may be worried about us seizing their assets and may have transferred money to other accounts. If we detect them doing this, then they will be charged.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-police-plan-second-wave-of-mass-taxi-related-arrests-47024.php


-- Phuket News 2014-06-24

[losworld]

I bet the police have never been so busy since the Army crackdown. New Sherrif in town. About time. Kudos to the army for cleaning up the mess.

[David48]

I'd be more confidient if the Army was doing this.

But, if the cops get it right, I'm all for it.

Could this be the revoloution that Thailand needs?

.

[NamKangMan]

More good news, but they really need to get a fixed fare transport system operating, or proper metered taxis cruising around the tourist areas, or all these arrests will really amount to nothing.

The taxi and tuk-tuk pricing monopoly needs to be broken, and policy put in place to see it is unable to return.

Edited June 24, 2014 by NamKangMan

[SiamRose]

"“We will attack and arrest them, suddenly and immediately, tomorrow."

I applaud their actions, but I think they might need to do some work on the element of surprise.

[timewilltell]

Really none of this is a surprise to anyone is it! Why so the police always tell the criminals they are coming to get them. I mean they even do it publicly! Weird!

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[IAMSOBAD]

Thanks for the heads up. Now all the criminals hide until the WAVE is over. Such a smart police boss.

Up to you

[NamKangMan]

"Some of [the taxi drivers] may be worried about us seizing their assets and may have transferred money to other accounts. If we detect them doing this, then they will be charged.”

Shouldn't they be charged anyway, just for possession of such large amounts of money, without any reasonable explanation for having it?

[IAMSOBAD]

More good news, but they really need to get a fixed fare transport system operating, or proper metered taxis cruising around the tourist areas, or all these arrests will really amount to nothing.

The taxi and tuk-tuk pricing monopoly needs to be broken, and policy put in place to see it is unable to return.

Great post. This needs to be the rule of law throughout Thailand and ALL CHEATERS jailed and their taxis demolished. How can these people act so poor with more money in the bank than most farang. Jet skis next???

Up to you

[eezergood]

My former neighbour, a taxi driver with a son (maybe 2) at BIS - not seen him for 2-3 weeks..........

[steelepulse]

My former neighbour, a taxi driver with a son (maybe 2) at BIS - not seen him for 2-3 weeks..........

Was he one of the Karon ilk that got arrested on the 4th, or did he decide it's a good time to holiday abroad and study possible UK Unis for his kid?

[LivinginKata]

My former neighbour, a taxi driver with a son (maybe 2) at BIS - not seen him for 2-3 weeks..........

There are a lot less (much less) taxis and tuk tuk hanging about the streets this past few weeks. Might be because it's low season, but more likely they are on 'holiday'.

[jocko]

The team are just playing friendly's at the moment the main match is yet to come.

No tickets available.

[stevenl]

My former neighbour, a taxi driver with a son (maybe 2) at BIS - not seen him for 2-3 weeks..........

Well, at the end of the school year at least he got almost a full year for this year's school fees.

[fabphil]

“We will attack and arrest them, suddenly and immediately, tomorrow. In the afternoon we will hold a press conference to reveal the results.”

555, yeh have the press conference first as well just to let them know ur coming...

[RamblingSam]

The Army will be carefully overseeing what the Mayor and the Police do; but one thing I'd like to ask those who were around Thailand whilst the Army held power last time is, was the level of corruption and graft as high as it is now, or did things operate differently then?

[Jim walker]

No more corruption in Thailand could this be the miracle every investor has been waiting for, get the criminals locked up and behind bars for a long time as a deterrent to other greedy crooks.

[jaapfries]

"“We will attack and arrest them, suddenly and immediately, tomorrow."

I applaud their actions, but I think they might need to do some work on the element of surprise.

"The best way to get the termites to show themselves, is to shake the rotten piece of wood"

Don't you fret none; this action may be executed by the local Sheriff, but it has been planned-out by the Governor (Gen. Prayut & Co.) ! ! !

[IamNoone88]

Less talk - JFDI !!!!!!

[swifty5x5]

Why don't you think there will be roadblocks everywhere. Rather than have to go to thier houses catch them when they run.

[klauskunkel]

My former neighbour, a taxi driver with a son (maybe 2) at BIS - not seen him for 2-3 weeks..........

the French Riviera is nice this time of year

[razer]

LOL .... can't help it. "We will attack and arrest them tomorrow afternoon." I mean, I am glad the Army is doing this but wouldn't it be better if this newspaper report were in the past tense? (We arrested the corrupt politicians) It just seems so ridiculous to announce to these people worth millions in black money that they will be arrested tomorrow. I mean, who's going to stick around and wait to be arrested?

Edit: just realized it was the police who made the announcement ... now it makes sense.

Edited June 24, 2014 by razer

[mercman24]

Just love reading these posts, headline "WE ARE COMING TOMORROW" well thanks for the warning, he he

[freedom4life]

"Some of [the taxi drivers] may be worried about us seizing their assets and may have transferred money to other accounts. If we detect them doing this, then they will be charged.”

Shouldn't they be charged anyway, just for possession of such large amounts of money, without any reasonable explanation for having it?

Would that then apply to anyone or is that what you would wish?

[soalbundy]

The wife won it all at bingo

[SanukJoeII]

Only one poster has got the clue, JaapFries, all others that comment on warning the perpetrators have really no clue at all.

Imagine this: in Phuket are plenty of corrupt officials and politicians.

They have had a light form of diarrhea when the taxi drivers were arrested, as quite possibly some of them would either talk or show the way to those officials. The worst thing you can do as a cheating official is to move, change bank account, transfer large amounts of money or go on holiday.

So they did not move and waited. Now is the time Police, "helped" (=pushed) by the Military, has enough information to raid the corrupt officials.

One clever step is to announce it.

Those that hide or move confess that they are amongst the corrupt officials, why would an honest official hide or run?

So to make the work lighter the operation is announced one day prior, very clever indeed, must come from the Military, if not the General himself!

They also don't see it as a time-consuming job, as they will give a press conference in the afternoon tomorrow. Love this, great!

[davidmann]

so i am gangster ,the police tell me there coming tomorrow ,thank YOU ,ill wait at home ,watch TV and wait ,i will not take my money out bank and RUN ,even the Police are so nice in the LOS

[bangkokheat]

i wonder if the army will go thru the elites bank accounts and check how much tax has been avoided

[Tboy928]

An next..maybe the police themselfs arrested.. that extort every bar,resturant,club, and all the copy clothes vendors in phuket . will not hold my breath.. But follow the money

[NamKangMan]

"Some of [the taxi drivers] may be worried about us seizing their assets and may have transferred money to other accounts. If we detect them doing this, then they will be charged.”

Shouldn't they be charged anyway, just for possession of such large amounts of money, without any reasonable explanation for having it?

Would that then apply to anyone or is that what you would wish?

"If we detect them doing this, then they will be charged.” - this comment sounds like they will only be charged, IF they transfer the money to other accounts.

They should be charged, regardless, as the money is the proceeds of crime.

It's normal, in many countries, to confiscate the assets, including cash, if they are the proceeds of crime, particularly from drug manufacturers, traffickers and dealers. Tax evasion is also another common one.