Phuket 'mafia taxi' police raids net 66 of 83 targets

[webfact]

Phuket 'mafia taxi' police raids net 66 of 83 targets
Tanyaluk Sakoot

Target No 1: Ex-mayor Pian Keesin.

PHUKET: -- Sixty six people out of the 83 targeted in this morning’s massive raid on Patong aimed at destroying the “taxi mafia” in the town were arrested, police have announced.

A press conference is under way now to give the press more details, along with the names of those arrested.

Pol Maj Gen Paween Pongsirin, who has led the drive to smash Patong’s taxi mafia was delighted. Smiling and laughing, he told The Phuket News after the raids, “It is like short movie. The movie is called Catch Me If You Can.

"I believe police will arrest the remainder in time. Being on the run is a hard thing to do. The offenders will be tired, worried and unable to sleep.”

In the meantime, the names of 27 prime targets have been released. They are:

From Pisona Co Ltd: Ex-mayor Pian Keesin, his sons Preechawut and Patawee, Shanon Fongla’ae, Setasak Buasorn, Wichai Maisritong, Chumpon Sae’Tan, Yodlak Geuanoon and Nattaphum Tongkao.

Eighty-five officers under the command of Pol Col Aroon Klaewatee were allocated to apprehend the nine.

From the Baansuan Taxi Queue: Worrawat Neenpapa, Wiwat Prayounpong, Pantipa Ruanghong, Padetgarn Kongtong, Kooson Changlek, Adichart Tinkohyao, Monton Pohwang, Prakit Sae’Eung and, again, Wichai Maisritong

Lt Col Sorapong Chookaew and 20 officers was tasked with arresting this group.

From Patong car rental group: Jatupon “Koh Kui” Teuantin, Supornchai “Tu” Teuantin, Manop Teuantin, Bancha Teuantin, Kamneung “Jiab” Srinark, Somsak “Bow” Suanson, Sataporn “Nui” Gaetsuwan, Jaroen “Larm” Teuantin, Manot Singha and Apinan “Tin” Wandee.

Lt Col Thammasan Boonsong led another 20 officers trying to arrest members of this group.

The remaining 56 people for whom arrest warrants were issued are all wanted for taking part in the tuk-tuk protest that paralysed Patong on March 4.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-‘mafia-taxi’-police-raids-net-66-of-83-targets-48083.php


-- Phuket News 2014-08-28

[webfact]

PHUKET NEWS TV: Purge comes to Patong

The purge comes to the heart of Patong with the island's party - town moves + shakers being pursued by the army and police.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-news-tv-purge-comes-to-patong-48085.php

-- Phuket News 2014-08-28

[Cuchulainn]

Nice hat!!

[Cuchulainn]

Again, it's down to the good General who's made the idle, lazy wobble-bottoms in brown do their jobs.

Never in PTP or Dem's day!!

[LivinginKata]

It's about time ... excellent

[retell]

Nice

[Chainsaw]

The feel good factor is increasing all the time! Way to go Pol Maj Gen Paween Pongsirin

[bangkapi]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Pinot]

This guy almost got reelected this year. The Patong voting base is very small and he's been manipulating those people for years and years. He had to have been paying off people to stay in power, all the Phuket politicians above him. More to come on this story and where all his money is.

[eezergood]

I'll believe it when I see it.

Looks like you wont be waiting too long

[howzat]

Is he a fashion icon with that stupid hat or is he the turn before the hot pies arrive. Whatever he looks a dick!

[clockman]

But who is protecting the jet ski mafia?

[NomadJoe]

It's about time ... excellent

+1

[NomadJoe]

But who is protecting the jet ski mafia?

The <deleted>.

[EBlair48]

But who is protecting the jet ski mafia?

The Jet Skis pay off the right guys, the taxi guys, including 27 of them withover a hundred officers tasked to arrest them, do not.

The ONLY thing that has changed in Phuket, is the master.

[GiantFan]

It's like an onion. Peeling off the layers. Keesin was Mayor, but considered low class by the richer clans.

Let him take the publicity, we'll earn the money. Wait a while.

[stevenl]

It's like an onion. Peeling off the layers. Keesin was Mayor, but considered low class by the richer clans.

Let him take the publicity, we'll earn the money. Wait a while.

Not just by the richer Thais, I and I think many with me consider him low (or no) class.

[Jimi007]

Of course the biggest fish broke the "line" and got away! Now the big fish from up at the airport have been notified they're next, so I'm sure they will take a flier! As long as they are gone. good by me! Funny how the new mayor's budget was finally passed just last night!

[thrilled]

I was hoping that Phuket will have changed when I get there next week.It's crazy pay 1000 baht to go on A 2-4 minute drive.

Oh well my legs are strong.So I guess I will be doing some walking

[NamKangMan]

The champagne is on ice, but I will not pop the cork until Phuket, especially the coast road beach areas, has the equivilent public transport options, and prices, as other tourist areas of Thailand.

The road death and injuries, assaults, rip offs and scams, this guy, and his son, has caused, to the detriment of the Phuket tourism industry, is immeasurable.

I hope, for all the victims, and their families, that justice will finally be served upon these people.

[NamKangMan]

I was hoping that Phuket will have changed when I get there next week.It's crazy pay 1000 baht to go on A 2-4 minute drive.

Oh well my legs are strong.So I guess I will be doing some walking

Pattaya has "Walking Street."

Phuket has a reputation as "Walking Island."

[FireMedic]

Again...Good start. We want to hear about jail time.....not arrests. The good General will only get street cred if the bad guys actually go to jail.

[NamKangMan]

It's like an onion. Peeling off the layers. Keesin was Mayor, but considered low class by the richer clans.

Let him take the publicity, we'll earn the money. Wait a while.

Not just by the richer Thais, I and I think many with me consider him low (or no) class.

"I think many with me consider him low (or no) class." - I consider him a criminal. It's as simple as that.

[EBlair48]

Other media are reporting this is about tuk tuks blockading a road some time ago and not a " taxi mafia" round up as the headline suggests.

So the erstwhile mayor is " low class" ? Would that explain why he is the only Phuket official charged with any illegalities.

[NamKangMan]

Other media are reporting this is about tuk tuks blockading a road some time ago and not a " taxi mafia" round up as the headline suggests.

So the erstwhile mayor is " low class" ? Would that explain why he is the only Phuket official charged with any illegalities.

"Would that explain why he is the only Phuket official charged with any illegalities." - the Mayor of Karon was charged, but, who knows, all these guys could get Phuket's famous "never ending bail."

[Jimi007]

Other media are reporting this is about tuk tuks blockading a road some time ago and not a " taxi mafia" round up as the headline suggests.

So the erstwhile mayor is " low class" ? Would that explain why he is the only Phuket official charged with any illegalities.

"Would that explain why he is the only Phuket official charged with any illegalities." - the Mayor of Karon was charged, but, who knows, all these guys could get Phuket's famous "never ending bail."

Most of the top guys were tipped off months ago. They knew what was coming. Do they have paper shredders here? They most likely had a bon fire with their documents and have done a runner... It would seem?

[NamKangMan]

Other media are reporting this is about tuk tuks blockading a road some time ago and not a " taxi mafia" round up as the headline suggests.

So the erstwhile mayor is " low class" ? Would that explain why he is the only Phuket official charged with any illegalities.

"Would that explain why he is the only Phuket official charged with any illegalities." - the Mayor of Karon was charged, but, who knows, all these guys could get Phuket's famous "never ending bail."

Most of the top guys were tipped off months ago. They knew what was coming. Do they have paper shredders here? They most likely had a bon fire with their documents and have done a runner... It would seem?

Yeah, great. I can just see the day when Mr. T, and all these other guys, are allowed to come back to Thailand under a "reconciliation" banner. (not saying these guys are directly connected with Mr. T)

[eezergood]

Other media are reporting this is about tuk tuks blockading a road some time ago and not a " taxi mafia" round up as the headline suggests.

So the erstwhile mayor is " low class" ? Would that explain why he is the only Phuket official charged with any illegalities.

"Would that explain why he is the only Phuket official charged with any illegalities." - the Mayor of Karon was charged, but, who knows, all these guys could get Phuket's famous "never ending bail."

Most of the top guys were tipped off months ago. They knew what was coming. Do they have paper shredders here? They most likely had a bon fire with their documents and have done a runner... It would seem?

I KNOW for a fact one of these guys arrested, literally kept his cash at home maybe a few 1000 in the bank! MAybe not a smart move when they raid

[guzzi850m2]

It's good to see.

Many of them thought they were untouchable and never prepared to do a runner out of Thailand expect perhaps the ex major and his sons.

There must be many persons in Thailand that are scared now.

Well done to the good general and his "government"

[brianP]

Time for the baht busses.