Racketeers pick the wrong time to extort money - raid was in progress at Nonthaburi shop

[webfact]

Racketeers pick the wrong time to extort money - raid was in progress at Nonthaburi shop


Image: Daily News

BANGKOK: -- A wanted group of drug racketeers and extortionists posing as cops and soldiers picked the wrong time to visit a premises in Nonthaburi yesterday. While they came for a payoff a raid by undercover drug agents was in progress and they were all arrested.

One of the men is a former soldier who denies he was involved, reported Daily News.

Drugs suppression officers had suspected that a "20 baht for everything" shop in Bang Yai was being used as a front for dealing drugs. Armed with a search warrant they raided the premises and found owner Sethawut Sariwong, 40, and two juveniles in possession of 200 Ya Ba pills, a quantity of "ice" methamphetamine and various drug taking equipment.

Sethawut told officers that he got a regular supply from a man he called "Mor".

As they were questioning the suspects five men arrived in two cars claiming they were from the crime suppression division and the army and had come to arrest everyone. They had no idea that undercover drug agents were there already.

The five men were in possession of fake ID and their vehicles had false plates. One was being driven by a man called Pricha Phakaew, 63, who is a former soldier. He was sitting outside in uniform and said he had nothing to do with it. He said he wore an army uniform to give him a good image in his work selling food supplements.

It emerged that the gang was wanted on a warrant for racketeering and extortion charges from last year. Army uniforms, weapons and "ice" were found in the two vehicles used by the gang.

Arrested were Somporn Euamsamang, 50, Noppaporn Euamsamang, 21, Anop Bunsai, 52, Parinya Seuanoi, 48, and Anusorn Chumyen, 37.

Police said that there were two separate cases. The case against the shop owner and the two youths who will be charged with possessing drugs with intent to sell.

The extortionists who arrived will face drugs, weapons and impersonation charges. They are not sure what to do yet with the retired soldier.

Source: Daily News


-- 2016-06-24

[canopus1969]

He was sitting outside in uniform and said he had nothing to do with it. He said he wore an army uniform to give him a good image in his work selling food supplements.

[inzman]

Can't tell who the real cops and who are the criminals here anymore. Sorry state of affairs.

[jamesbrock]

He was sitting outside in uniform and said he had nothing to do with it. He said he wore an army uniform to give him a good image in his work selling food supplements.

Extortion, racketeering, possession of weapons, carrying false ID, driving a car with false plates, possession of narcotics, impersonating a soldier...

I wonder what this does to the "good name of the army"??

[DLang]

Are the two police in the background of the photo real police, or wax figures from a mission Impossible or Rambo film impersonating them?

[ezzra]

I would loved to be a fly on the wall when both groups met each other, I'm sure that the tricksters thought that
the real police were impersonators just like them.... wouldn't that be a hoot to watch? .....

[dhream]

Proof that prohibition merely increases 'sideline' crime.

[WhizBang]

Meanwhile, back in the real world, there are very serious consequences for impersonating police and other 'officials'.

But not in Thailand, of course.

[Bluespunk]

They need to get someone to coordinate timetables...

[sjjmmi]

unbelievable Not as this is Thailand

[sandgroper2]

He was sitting outside in uniform and said he had nothing to do with it. He said he wore an army uniform to give him a good image in his work selling food supplements.

That was in the post canopus!!!

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

Can't tell who the real cops and who are the criminals here anymore. Sorry state of affairs.

News Flash!!! They are ALL criminals!!!

[klauskunkel]

he wore an army uniform to give him a good image

They are not sure what to do yet with the retired soldier.

Charge him for looking good.

[Ulic]

So....I am not really sure what the issue really is. You have the public impersonating

police, extorting the public and you have police, impersonating police, or criminals

depending on who's take on what you believe Thai police behaviour is like.

I am left scratching my head.

[monty1412]

I just love this you couldn't make it up.. imagine the poor shopkeepers dilemma.

Shopkeeper excuse me.. who are the real police here.. you guys or you guys ??....

Police group 1) its us..

Police Group 2) no its us....

Police Group 1) their lying..

Police Group 2) no their lying ........

Police Group 1) .their fake..

Police Group 2) no their fake.. its really us.....

Shopkeeper).. to hell with this Im making a citizens arrest as one or both of you are impersonating policemen.. ( turns to assistant) Phone the police can you and tell them we have apprehended two possible groups posing as Police....

[Wilsonandson]

Why are the two policemen at the back of the room wearing sunglasses?

Don't swat team police usual wear night vision goggles?

It's the opposite in los.

[jerojero]

Haha! I love it! Karma karma. Lockem up!

[NickJ]

The Book of Excuses of Thailand makes for good reading.

[halloween]

Why are the two policemen at the back of the room wearing sunglasses?

Don't swat team police usual wear night vision goggles?

It's the opposite in los.

Does that room look dark to you?

[kaorop]

Can't tell who the real cops and who are the criminals here anymore. Sorry state of affairs.

One and the same, I'm pretty sure.

[ggt]

There may be hope for Thailand yet...I am proud to say this definitely causes me to rethink my perception of Thai police...they actually arrested the criminals...instead of joining in the fun...kudos to the police dept. in Nonthaburi...

[silent]

unbelievable Not as this is Thailand

The land of smiles

[mrfaroukh]

It remind me of a program called American most stupid criminals. So this would be the Thai's most stupid criminals.

Well done

[ableguy]

He was sitting outside in uniform and said he had nothing to do with it. He said he wore an army uniform to give him a good image in his work selling food supplements.

Extortion, racketeering, possession of weapons, carrying false ID, driving a car with false plates, possession of narcotics, impersonating a soldier

I wonder what this does to the "good name of the army"??

Just another day in paradise.

[Moonmoon]

Good job to the real cops who manage to nap these fakers. I have a shop in Thailand as well. I am also worried about these fakers who might come to extort money. I wish there is way to know who is real n who is fake.

AND whats up with "They are not sure what to do yet with the retired soldier."

[The manic]

Police and thieves in the street!

[bentarm44]

Scaring the nation with their, guns and ammunition

[cyberfarang]

Meanwhile, back in the real world, there are very serious consequences for impersonating police and other 'officials'.

But not in Thailand, of course.

Even the real police are impersonating police officers. It`s just that one group has the law on it`s side and the other lot don`t.

[The manic]

Police and thieves in the street!

Fighting the nation with all their guns and ammunition -oh yeah!

[The manic]

Scaring the nation with their, guns and ammunition

Nice one! Well met!