Thai army chief says crackdown on mafias will be indefinite

[webfact]

Army chief says crackdown on mafias will be indefinite



BANGKOK: -- Army commander-in-chief Gen Thirachai Narkwanich announced today the crackdown on influential people or mafias will continue indefinitely nationwide until they all be eliminated from the country's soil.

The tough announcement by the army chief sent clear signal to influential people who harboured criminals will be dealt with drastically no matter they be civilians or military personnel.

Gen Thirachai was reacting to yesterday’s crackdown of influential people or mafias in Nakhon Pathom where a large number of firearms and ammunition were seized.

The crackdown was a joint operation of soldiers, police and local administration officials.

He said the joint operation will continue with no specified period of time.

It would go on until these mafias are eliminated from the Thai soils, he said.

He also warned army personnel that they be drastically dealt with without warning if they are engaged in mafia-style businesses.

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/154258


-- Thai PBS 2016-03-09

[skildpadden]

Good move. To make it much easier for yourself just round up all from the biggest mafias such as police, army, navy, border control and all former politicians regardless of colour.

[taony]

When did it start?

[Reigntax]

I think he means "indefinatly delayed"

[craigt3365]

Does that include the police? LOL

[Strangebrew]

What has T.S. said about this I sure he will pipe in with a comment on this.

[Squeegee]

In other words....

"An announcement for the benefit of all mafia: be vigilant and keep your heads down for an in-coming token cull of low-hanging fruit and political opponents."

If I were mafia I'd be thanking him for the heads up.

Edited March 9, 2016 by Squeegee

[terryp]

Already 1 April today ?.................

[nottocus]

The mafia must be sooooo scared.

[Freed1948]

Why don't they just do it?

i'm tired of all these announcements with no actions.

[leeneeds]

Collecting firearms before the debate, happens,

enthusiamism for this role could and should roll over in to the Yabba industry.

[NongKhaiKid]

An INDEFINITE crackdown, in LoS ?

Oh please !

[Pib]

The good general is correct in that the crackdown with be indefinite simply because influential people and the mafia will always be around

[shirtless]

Its for warning the top boys get your house in order take a break , appear clean. and all will be ok to continue .

[chainarong]

One could be forgiven to thinking that they were reading about a dictatorship lead country, in some malaria swamp back water, hidden from the outside world when you read headlines such as this , it should read , "Police special mafia Unit crackdown on the Mafia"................................................ .

[Basil B]

Does that include the police? LOL

And Islands like Samui, Tao & Phuket???

Edited March 9, 2016 by Basil B

[webfact]

Defense Minister assures lawful crackdown on organized crime

BANGKOK, 9 March 2016 (NNT) - Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said the move to crackdown on mafias will only target those suspected of illegal weapons possession and disturbing the peace.

The Defense Minister has received a list of all crime syndicates across the country. Their names were compiled and submitted by local intelligence units. The list has been reviewed by a relevant committee and forwarded to the local authorities.

Suspects on the list have been accused of terrorizing the public and will see legal charges. The committee has claimed these people have violated 16 different laws, mostly related to illegal weapons.

Gen Prawit said these criminal elements could potentially become a threat to national security. He assured that the crackdown on mafias will be carried out lawfully.


-- NNT 2016-03-09

[Laughing Gravy]

Definition of mafia: an organized international body of criminals, operating originally in Sicily and now especially in Italy and the US and having a complex and ruthless behavioral code.

Now you could certainly put the two most prominent Mafia groups in Thailand in this bracket especially the last 3 words..

[webfact]

NCPO, military and police commence crackdown on influential groups

BANGKOK, 9 March 2016 (NNT) - The military has vowed to implement the government's policy of eliminating influential groups, while the Ministry of Interior has instructed provincial governors to crackdown on related activities.

Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda said that the suppression of influential groups needs concerted efforts among the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the government and the police. A list has been sent to provincial governors to suppress any illegal activities.

Meanwhile, Army Commander-in-chief Gen Teerachai Nakvanich said the army has continued to implement the government’s policies of eliminating influential groups that have taken advantage of law-abiding citizens.

As for attacks by political groups who say that the military’s campaigns target only political enemies, Gen Teerachai assured that the efforts are made without prejudice and are a broad sweep on illegal activities. He also affirmed that military officials will also be prosecuted should they be found to be conducting illegal activities.

Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police Pol Maj Gen Songpol Wattanachai affirmed that the Police’s policy of going after all illegal activities will not be taking sides as claimed by various groups. Nakhon Pathom Province had been the police’s first zone to conduct prosecution activities. A recent house raid in the province revealed a stash of weapons. Another recent bust involved arresting a loan shark group in Phitsanulok Province.


-- NNT 2016-03-09

[EyesWideOpen]

I think I have spent too much time in Thailand. As my first

immediate thought was the general was planning on

taking on the largest mafia in the world, the Thai police.

But perhaps their position at the feeding trough cannot

properly be referred to as mafia. Perhaps fiefdom ???

[leeneeds]

never good being on any s### list ,

16 different laws, mostly related to illegal weapons , 1 owning

2 selling

3 carrying

4 discharging

5 procuring

6 importing

7 stealing

8 maintenance

9 copying

10 possession of ammunition

11 un licensed

12 authorised

13 , 14 , 15 and 16 must be related to the crimes committed with such illegal firearms ,or have behaved in a way that disrupts social peace and order,

[dcnx]

"Indefinitely"

In other words, it will be back to normal by the end of this week.

[smedly]

The funny part of this story is the fact they are expecting local authorities such as governors and mayors to help with the crackdown, the most effective way to tackle such organised crime is to start at the top and work down

[Jim walker]

dealt with drastically no matter they be civilians or military personnel. Even if they are exempt from prosecution ? as detailed in the new charter these will probably be excused and a good hefty 1000 Baht fine imposed on them if not exempt from prosecution and if they do not share the spoils , half of the Bangkok elite will be in a total flap now rushing to stash the cash on their private jets.

[Emster23]

"Gen Thirachai was reacting to yesterday’s crackdown of influential people or mafias in Nakhon Pathom...."

Translated: "we will go after influential people who don't think current government greatest thing since boiled rice."

So glad they say they will do it lawfully. And just who makes the laws?

[spacebass]

How many 'mafia' casinos closed I the last two days ? two weeks? 2 months ?

Ruining many ordinary Thai peoples lives , as their debt is farmed to 'respectable' loan shark companys by their mafia specialist employees.

Here in Rayong the 'respectable' loan shark company 'Surachai' had one of their 'managers' throw Surachais daughter in her '50's , whom is a member of His Majesty's bench , into a reservoir after he and 4 of his cronies beat her up and left her for dead, because she had caught him trying to embezzle a 200 million thb beach front property. (As reported on Thai visa news)

Have the police caught him and his 4 accomplices yet?

This in sleepy Rayong goodness knows what happens in Phuketmand beyond.

[taony]

And so it begins. The fan will get dirty soon. Its nothing to do with actually reducing crime.

"Gen Prawit said these criminal elements could potentially become a threat to national security. He assured that the crackdown on mafias will be carried out lawfully."

Edited March 9, 2016 by taony

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

So lets get this logic straight. You know certain people are involved in crime and you put their names on a list. Which is then leaked to warn all those on the list that they are suspects and give the guilty ones the chance to escape. A very effective way to avoid any arrest and court cases for the over worked police and courts. Only here.

[anon467367354]

I'm tired of the police rather than being helpful, they try to find ways to extort money from us.

I just found out that we have the right to ask for ID from them before we give them ours.

I don't like that they hold your license and if you want it back you have to pay for it.

I want to see that change to the point I'm ready to create a page about it and make some noise.

When I ride, it's all recorded.

[mercman24]

why is it always, the army said this , the army said that, isn't this a police job. oops sorry got a new boss in town