Phi Phi Police struggle to stomp out gibbon touts
Phuket Gazette

Officers yet to arrest a gibbon tout caught on video working the walking streets of Phi Phi Don earlier this week. Video: PGTV

PHUKET: -- Unaware of officers failing to find and arrest an illegal gibbon tout regularly operating at a specific time and location on Phi Phi Don, the recently appointed Phi Phi Police Chief Jetsada Junphum has taken matters into his own hands.

“I did not see the video sent to my officers until the Phuket Gazette sent it directly to me,” Lt Col Jetsada said. “I didn’t realize that officers were working on the case and failing to get results.”

The video, sent to the Gazette by a reader, clearly shows the culprit’s face and was forwarded to Phi Phi Police earlier this month.

“I patrolled the area with several officers on Saturday, but did not spot the suspect,” explained Col Jetsada. “Restaurant owners in the area explained that the tout hadn’t been there for the last few days.”

Restaurant owners in the area were told to immediately inform police if the tout resurfaced.

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phi-Phi-Police-struggle-stomp-gibbon-touts/62486?desktopversion


-- Phuket Gazette 2015-12-01

Lt Col Jetsada said. “I didn’t realize that officers were working on the case and failing to get results.”

Does Jetsada even know he has officers that are working? Maybe he thought he was assigned an inactive station.

The headline is a euphemism which actually reads:

Phi Phi Police struggle to refuse kickbacks from Gibbon Touts

I didn't realise we were under media scrutiny, said the Chief, now that I do we will make an appearance of looking for this gibbon suspect who we can't locate on an island the size of a few football pitches. I have notified all shopowners to keep their mouths shut if the media approach them. This should blow over in a week or two then we can increase our tariff, he winked.

Probably an off duty police officer.

they could always try stomping on the gibbons.....that would put the punters off a bit....

Lt Col Jetsada said, "Oiiii, those pesky tourists with smartphones, creating work for us and lowering our tea money."