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Bikie Bandidos Gang on Phuket Triggers Police Concern

Wednesday, May 30, 2012
PHUKET: Police on Phuket have been warned to be wary of Bandidos bikie gang members who have been spotted on the island making visits from Pattaya and Samui.

Although many members of the Bandidos and other motorcycle gangs simply enjoy riding their vehicles, some Bandidos members have a reputation for violence and criminal activities and the gang stretches from Australia to Europe and the US.

The Deputy Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, Colonel Akanit Danpitak, told Phuketwan today that the Bandidos had caused trouble in the past and police were wary about them.

''We know in the past they have set themselves up in businesses in other parts of Thailand and the outcomes have not always been positive,'' he said.

''They tend to come into conflict eventually with other gangs and with legitimate business rivals.''

At least one Australian state has recently opted to introduce legislation designed to more closely control the activities of so-called bikie gangs.

The introduction of the legislation, opposed by civil rights activists who say the laws can be misused, follows a series of murders and violent activities, often committed in public.

The Bandidos are seen as rivals to the Hells Angels virtually everywhere, prompting a heading in an Australian newspaper earlier this month: ''Bikies waging a worldwide war.''

Fancy leather jackets, though, are not always an indication of evil intent. The Phuket riders who take part in Bike Week on Phuket each year, centring on Patong, are careful to make the distinction that those who attend are bikers, not bikies.

Comments

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I was passed by a big group of bikers being lead by a tourist police car a week back. Some were wearing bandidos, hell angles and rebels patches.

Posted by LJ on May 30, 2012 18:27

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yes that was a charity toy run organised as a group , it was well attended by bikers and raised a substantial amount of money for less fortunate Thai kids on Phuket ...

Posted by Anonymous on May 30, 2012 21:55

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Bandidos, like Hells Angels, is a criminal organisation, period. Nobody that jsut enjoys riding their nike wil ever be admitted to become a member of Bandidos. In fact, Bandidos is quite well known for recruiting heavy criminals into their organisation, usually from the prison system, that have zero experience riding Harleys or any kind of motorbike. They then buy their first Harley when they join the group. Many are "beginner" motorbike riders but far from beginners when it comes to criminal activity. Bandidos are also quite famous for being a very multi-ethnic organisation, race or religion plays no role, the main point is that you have to be a tough enough criminal. This is different from HA that is very racially "pure" group, they very rarely admit anybody that is not white and Christian. This the reason HA does not have an official chapter in ANY developing country, unlike Bandidos. The actual bike riding culture is stronger and more real within HA compared to Bandidos.

Posted by christian on May 30, 2012 22:28

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A reputation for violence and criminal activities causing of trouble in the past,suddenly the police are concerned
so sad they don't extend the same sediments to the tuk tuk cartel there concerned about the wrong people.

Posted by traveller on May 31, 2012 00:45

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There you go case proven a organised charity toyrun for the less fortunate kiddies of Phuket & there painted as criminals imagine if the tuk tuk drivers approached them and said you cant park here we own this road and then attacked them, (a not unknown occurance on individuals) the headlines would be bikie criminals cause violent riots.

Posted by traveller on May 31, 2012 12:21

Editor Comment:

I am sure the toy run is a good deed performed by thoroughly nice people. But, traveller, experience has taught us that even criminals of the worst possible kind can have warm, generous sides, too. It's not possible to determine the character of people so easily. Don't fool yourself. All we can say is that bikers are different to bikies . . . and tuk-tuk drivers usually love kids.

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traveller

A reputation fro violence and criminal behaviour "in the past"? I can assure you there are multiple cases and investigations ongoing TODAY all around the world against organised crime members from Bandidos, HA and various other biker gangs. The charity runs are a well established way of image building that all these groups are doing. Also, being good neighbours are another important part of it. Of course, at least until rocket launchers and automatic weapons are being used in their next turf war. I can't believe people are so gullible as to think Bandidos is not a criminal gang. The comorra in Naples are also good guys I gues, since they do some community work? Again, NOBODY that is interested in just riding a Harley and maintain a nice bike would ever be admitted to Bandidos. Get it? Or, why not study the matter a bit closer. There are a lot of material, books and info on the internet concerning these organisations, Bandidos are considered one of the worst and most violence prone gangs of all. Anybody with half a brain would know this, unless of course you are a gang member yourself.

Posted by christian on May 31, 2012 17:22

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I read all comments and I'd question Whoever they are Whatever they ware Doing Good or Bad but, they together done Good for Kids. Why all you just disagree & comment Why don't go do some Good thing same as them if you don't do any I think you Better keep you mouth Shut. In Thai we do say "Don't judge a person by Look" Bad guy can Change also Great guy can be Asshole too. So far if non of them do no Wrong just give them time to prove. Is that be a good idea?

Posted by Just Drop by. on June 7, 2012 01:16


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