Phuket 'smuggler's island' raid nets armed attempted murder, drug suspect

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Phuket 'smuggler's island' raid nets armed attempted murder, drug suspect
Eakkapop Thongtub


Danai Homhown, 36, was taken into custody just after 11am. Photo: Veera Kerdsirimongkol

PHUKET: -- An armed militia of more than 50 personnel arrested a man wanted for attempted murder in a raid on a secluded island off Phuket’s east coast today (August 18).

The raid team, lead by Thalang District Office senior official Siripong Leeprasit and including Royal Thai Navy personnel, Thalang police officers and civil defense volunteers, took Danai Homhown, 36, into custody just after 11am.

They also seized one shotgun and shells in the raid, executed on Koh Ngam, in Tambon Thepkrasattri, Thalang.

“Danai was wanted by Thalang police for attempted murder and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition under a warrant issued on October 9, 2014,” said Mr Siripong.

When the raid party arrived, group of men were seen fleeing into the jungle on the island.

Officers managed to apprehend one of the men: Kraisorn Kahnam, 32.

“We are also searching for other suspects related to the case. We believe that at least one more suspect is at large,” said Mr Siripong.

Officials were alerted to Danai’s whereabouts after local residents filed formal complaints of a gunman firing warning shots and threatening to shoot any fishermen or any other persons attempting to land on the island, Mr Siripong said.

Officials today conducted searches of the house on Koh Ngam where Danai was staying and the surrounding area, including underwater fish pens, for drugs, as Danai was a known drugs offender, said Thalang District Chief Veera Kerdsirimongkol.

“Danai has been arrested many times for drugs. He was arrested on December 26, 2011 for possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell after he was found with 1,000 of pills of ya bah (methamphetamine),” he said.

Danai had failed to present himself in court and was also wanted on a warrant for his arrest on that drug charge, explained Mr Siripong.

“We believe that Danai was living on Koh Ngam so he could smuggle and sell drugs again,” said Mr Veera.

Adding to his woes, Danai stands accused of encroaching on national forest land on Koh Ngam, which covers more than 200 rai.

“He built a house and had been living here for a long time, and now the area is under investigation by the Forest Department,” Mr Veera said.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-smuggler-island-raid-nets-armed-attempted-murder-drug-suspect-53715.php

-- Phuket News 2015-08-20

[clearmirror]

Wish my abs were like that....

[lust]

"You know what our camo needs? Color!"

[stuarty]

<deleted> can a raid team of 50, lose 2 guys on a small island??

[mike324]

200 rai isn't exactly that big yet they can't catch the other suspect? Not even a stake out to wait for him to reappear? Amateurs.