Special Report: The gangs of Phuket
Phuket Gazette


A-non Wandee is one of five suspects arrested for the gang violence which left a 15 year old dead and three 14 year olds injured. Mr A-non has denied all charges against him. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The justice system’s soft handling of criminal youth is at the core of the island's growing drug-powered gang violence, which led to a 15-year-old bystander being gunned down during the final hours of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, explained Phuket City Police Deputy Superintendent Khunnadet Nanongkhai.

Five suspects have already been charged for the murder of Thanakij Sawirum, 15, and the attempted murders of three 14-year-old bystanders, who were injured by stray bullets as members of rival gangs Wan Wai and Mac Tim Villa 3 exchanged gunfire.

“Shootings, thefts, drug dealing and violent crimes committed by youth associated with gangs on the island has been steadily on the rise,” said Col Khunnadet.

“Fundamentally, the issue is that the courts don’t deal out harsh enough punishments to minors, so these criminals get a slap on the wrist and are back out there causing problems. However, the recent increase is also due to social media. Gangs are able to quickly recruit members, set up drug deals, organize times to fight with other gangs and gain fame by boasting about it.”

Col Khunnadet explained that his station was making about two gang-related arrests per month. Prior to the widespread use of social media, his officers were rarely having to deal with gang activity at all.

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Special-Report-gangs-Phuket/62259?desktopversion#ad-image-0

-- Phuket Gazette 2015-11-03

Increase fines by the court of law to Bt100...with pistol whipping set at Bt600...

Put everyone on a deserted island in the middle of the sea, far enough out so they can not escape, and let them grow up, and deal with the problem.

Increase fines by the court of law to Bt100...with pistol whipping set at Bt600...

'..... pistol..... '

There's an interesting point, wonder if there is any serious investigation as to where so many illegal handguns are coming from?

Next generation Thai mafia in their apprenticeship. Better get a handle on this cancer before it adversely affects the tourism paycheck.

Like any problem in Thailand. Leave it till it effects the ruling classes pockets.! Big drug problem, all over Thailand.

Like any problem in Thailand. Leave it till it effects the ruling classes pockets.! Big drug problem, all over Thailand.

There's another version - watch the problem obviously developing and do nothing becuase it might be confrontational, even slightly confrontational, so better to ignore it, make out it doesn't exist.

He's gonna hate himself for stretching his ears out like that.

His self inflicted abuse to his face should preclude any "soft handling of criminal youth "

With that sort of appearance he will not pass any sort of regular job interview - that's why he is now a gangster.

Put everyone on a deserted island in the middle of the sea, far enough out so they can not escape, and let them grow up, and deal with the problem.

And field the best Rugby teams in the world..

The only answer is to stop irresponsible parents from having children, yes and forbid pets to.........

Just take no notice for a couple of years......let 'em grow to rape, murder and pillage......then try and control these <deleted>.....and like everywhere else in Thailand, these goons become untouchable!!

Prior to the widespread use of social media, his officers were rarely having to deal with gang activity at all.

So I guess a single gateway will be the solution.

Kids create gangs because their communities and society at large is not fit for purpose. The gangs offer more than real society. The ideals of real society is just mom's apple pie fantasy for many kids whose aspirations are doomed and they know it. As for.more prison sentences. It does not work. Prisons are finishing schools foe criminals. Make the kids as wealthy as the undeserving HiSo children of the power elite- give them a stake in their society - police them with their consent not as an army of occupation. When kids form Violent gangs it is because they have been failed and they are fighting back for not just material things but more complex aspects of self validification

Any news of the jetski thug who took on the british navy some years back?

Kids create gangs because their communities and society at large is not fit for purpose. The gangs offer more than real society. The ideals of real society is just mom's apple pie fantasy for many kids whose aspirations are doomed and they know it. As for.more prison sentences. It does not work. Prisons are finishing schools foe criminals. Make the kids as wealthy as the undeserving HiSo children of the power elite- give them a stake in their society - police them with their consent not as an army of occupation. When kids form Violent gangs it is because they have been failed and they are fighting back for not just material things but more complex aspects of self validification

No gangs in your country of origin ?

Has your country solved the problem of kids "self validation" ?

Kids create gangs because their communities and society at large is not fit for purpose. The gangs offer more than real society. The ideals of real society is just mom's apple pie fantasy for many kids whose aspirations are doomed and they know it. As for.more prison sentences. It does not work. Prisons are finishing schools foe criminals. Make the kids as wealthy as the undeserving HiSo children of the power elite- give them a stake in their society - police them with their consent not as an army of occupation. When kids form Violent gangs it is because they have been failed and they are fighting back for not just material things but more complex aspects of self validification

No gangs in your country of origin ?

Has your country solved the problem of kids "self validation" ?

If you look on a U.K forum or a U.S forum or any other countries forum, you will find the answer.

This is a Thai forum, discussing Thai issues... It's a problem , end of story

Looks like a ladyboy having a bad hair day.

He's gonna hate himself for stretching his ears out like that.

Stretch his neck would be better

Kids create gangs because their communities and society at large is not fit for purpose. The gangs offer more than real society. The ideals of real society is just mom's apple pie fantasy for many kids whose aspirations are doomed and they know it. As for.more prison sentences. It does not work. Prisons are finishing schools foe criminals. Make the kids as wealthy as the undeserving HiSo children of the power elite- give them a stake in their society - police them with their consent not as an army of occupation. When kids form Violent gangs it is because they have been failed and they are fighting back for not just material things but more complex aspects of self validification

No gangs in your country of origin ?

Has your country solved the problem of kids "self validation" ?

Why does the fact that other countries have gangs make this right? Some very weird attitudes on TV

How is it a "special report" when it relies wholly on police statements (seemingly the source of 95% of news in Thailand) and has no investigative journalism?

Like any problem in Thailand. Leave it till it effects the ruling classes pockets.! Big drug problem, all over Thailand.

The problem you mention stems from the top downwards,

Looks like a ladyboy having a bad hair day.

I will tell him you said so.

Kids create gangs because their communities and society at large is not fit for purpose. The gangs offer more than real society. The ideals of real society is just mom's apple pie fantasy for many kids whose aspirations are doomed and they know it. As for.more prison sentences. It does not work. Prisons are finishing schools foe criminals. Make the kids as wealthy as the undeserving HiSo children of the power elite- give them a stake in their society - police them with their consent not as an army of occupation. When kids form Violent gangs it is because they have been failed and they are fighting back for not just material things but more complex aspects of self validification

No gangs in your country of origin ?

Has your country solved the problem of kids "self validation" ?

Did he mention Thailand specifically? No.

The OPs comment was universal and I agree with him.

Is that not a Buddha image on his throat? Especially to the left? Second time in as many days I've seen a Buddha tat on a Thai, the other day saw a guy with a huge one on his back. I thought this was bad etiquette?

Well if the cops want a spot to catch a lot of these guys, catch em speeding their bikes around Nai Harn lagoon.

Jesus herd it all now guned down at a vegetarian festival

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Mr A-Non

With that sort of appearance he will not pass any sort of regular job interview - that's why he is now a gangster.

With his appearance, perhaps he could get a job as a bouncer in a Phuket nightclub.

"Shootings, thefts, drug dealing and violent crimes committed by youth associated with gangs on the island has been steadily on the rise,” said Col Khunnadet." - a clear admission that crime has increased on Phuket.