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DSI Goes 'Top Secret' in Probing Phuket's Corruption And Taxi Mr Bigs
By Premkamon Ketsara and Alan Morison Thursday, September 5, 2013
PHUKET: Whatever strategy the Department of Special Investigation has for solving Phuket's corruption remained ''top secret'' yesterday after closed-door talks.
The DSI Commander of the Phuket operation, Lieutenant Colonel Somboon Sarasit, met with with Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud for 30 minutes at Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket City.
Governor Maitree emerged to say that much of the project remains ''top secret.'' There were things that even he couldn't be told, he said.
The governor did repeat, however, that six checkpoints operating between August 10-29 had netted 434 illegal ''black'' taxi drivers.
Meanwhile, an attempt to control taxis and limousines at Phuket International Airport appears to have failed almost as soon as it began.
Airport managers Airports of Thailand said earlier this week that the Phuket taxi and limousine drivers were now only allowed to enter the airport perimeter in limited numbers.
The concept may have worked briefly but within a day or so, passengers and taxi drivers reported, the normal chaos had been restored.
It's believed the DSI's investigation remains still focused on the people behind the taxi and tuk-tuk monopolies on Phuket.
The governor indicated yesterday that the special Phuket operation would continue for at least another month, although on August 9 the DSI promised at least one person would be charged ''within 30 days''.
So far there has been no indication of the DSI taking note of the suggestion by Patong Mayor Pian Keesin and his businessman son 'Prab' Keesin that the 17 government organisations known to take bribes on Phuket are the real ''mafia,'' not the people who pay the bribes.
What's likely is that the DSI investigators have begun to realise the scale of the problem - that there are thousands of taxi and tuk-tuk drivers on Phuket who control the industry.
Talk that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would come to Phuket to formally open a Crime Crisis Centre in Phuket City has ceased.
However, that kind of demonstration of support may soon be necessary to convince doubters the Government remains serious about addressing Phuket's endemic corruption.
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Comments
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''It's believed the DSI's investigation remains still focused on the people behind the taxi and tuk-tuk monopolies on Phuket''
Some time ago the DSI's top brass investigation team focused heavily on the 2,000 luxury cars found in containers at Laem Chabang Port. They couldn't find or haven't as yet found the people involved, so they went, as you say "top secret". It seems a fairly common practice with the DSI.
Posted by
Pete
on
September 5, 2013 09:16
I reckon Top Secret means that will the last we ever here of these issues and the DSI.
Posted by
Ciaran
on
September 5, 2013 10:34
The key point is the cleansing of the Thai Administration of its legions of corrupt civil servants. And so far, none, including the DSI and many others, have talked about it and then followed up by.... dragging their feet - endlessly.
Without tacite support of local administration and the corrupt civil servants, those thugs would not have built crime empires in Phuket and keep under fear all the Phuketians, Thais and foreigners alike.
Posted by
Whistle-Blower
on
September 5, 2013 10:50
@whistleblower - you are bang on - and your point 100% on the money. Go after the corrupt civil servants and tidy this Island up.
Posted by
Ciaran
on
September 5, 2013 11:56
They begin to realize the scale of the problem... In other words, they see now that Phuket problems are way out of control and I'm sure that the DSI is now doubting about the fact that they will not be able to do something about it. Oh yeah, they will be in the news a couple of times more, with perhaps an illegal taxi driver, or a shop they forced to close, or another secret coffee meeting, but they will disappear in the near future, and the chaos will go on and on and on. The realists will score a few more points in the next week or so. Over to Ed now.
Posted by
Charles
on
September 5, 2013 12:11
Editor Comment:
What you mean, Charles, is that the Doomsayers who have nothing to offer Phuket will continue doomsaying. The DSI has more to offer than you ever have. But please, continue supporting corruption, as that's what you prefer.
I can't see that Charles is any way supporting corruption, Mr Editor. Its just that he's thoroughly sick of it and the authorities that have lost control of this island.
We would all like to see the DSI break the mould of this island but many of us doubt whether they have the stomach for a long protracted battle.
Posted by
jimbo
on
September 5, 2013 16:20
Editor Comment:
Charles endorses the status quo, a corrupt Phuket, and sees no hope for change. He does not share your view, jimbo.
Doomsayers equals realists, true or false? I have not noticed any difference in Phuket at any level. Ed, no reply please, let your readers speak.
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
September 5, 2013 16:26
Editor Comment:
''The chaos will go on and on and on'' is a classic no-hope statement from Charles, a no-hoper. A realist is someone who believes Phuket will change, but is not sure when. Charles is a nihilist.
Dearest Ed, Charles et al understand all our expat chat is just chat. It's a heretical social system based on wealth. Who is the wealthiest MP? And where did the money come from? Who has the money in Patong? There is an ATM inside Wat Chalong why is that sir?
Posted by
gee
on
September 5, 2013 16:54
Editor Comment:
I'd prefer to have Charles explain his opinions, gee, just in case you misuse the opportunity to speak on his behalf and instead spout an ill-conceived conspiracy theory or some other total nonsense.
Oh no! You just have!
Ed, it's admirable that you let Charles voice his opinion which I agree you should do being a democratic publication but at the same time I asked you not to reply to my earlier comment. So today you are hazip/hazip (50/50 for our international readers) Let's hope there are changes as clearly things are getting out of control. Taxi fares are terribly high. Is the bus still running from the airport?
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
September 5, 2013 17:08
Editor Comment:
We always ignore instructions and silly questions and from readers, FF.
Lol, Ed whose upset you today, come on tell Fiesty I am sitting comfortably and waiting for you to begin.
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
September 5, 2013 17:52
Ed: we've never met, and I doubt we will in the future, but who are you to tell me that I support corruption? I hate it with a passion, and I wish that I could wake up one day without having to stress out myself from all the things that I experience. ( yes; experience, not just see ) you also mention that the DSI has more to offer than me... Well, that would be a shame, wouldn't it, if they couldn't beat me, the doomsayer. But I am sure that I have done a lot over the years to make lives of people better in one way or another. The sad thing is that, if we try to help people here who really need help, we are often turned down, threatened, and chased away from the " big guys". And that frustrates the hell out of me. Me, supporting the corruption? You made a fool out of yourself, Ed. Again.
Posted by
Charles
on
September 5, 2013 19:21
Editor Comment:
Why don't you offer some constructive suggestions, Charles, unless you are a totally beaten person, in which case it would be wiser to say nothing. All you seem to do is wallow in self-pity and urge the rest of us to not try too hard. Almost everything you have ever said here scores you points as a cheerleader for the wrong side.
''Another point for the realists. Aka the doomsayers. Those that told you, Ed, that there is nothing that will stop and turn around these thugs.''
'' You need professional help, Ed, and not by one person, but by a whole group, if you don't see what's happening here, but then again, I understand that you might be limited in what you put in your precious Phuketwan.''
''I'm expecting a reaction from the ED here, but nothing will change, and there will never be a person who is capable to say "enough". Never! Unless he or she has a death wish . And, no, I am not supporting the wolves, but that's what's going on here for years, even decades. In this country, logic never wins.''
We understand what you are saying Charles, but in saying it over and over and over again, you make it plain you are not on our side. That being the case, I suggest you cease your pathetic wailing - unless, of course, you can find something positive to offer.
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Would that date be sometime before Saturday 7th September?
Posted by gee on September 5, 2013 08:47