UPDATING All Day, Every Day
PRAB Keesin gave himself up at a Bangkok police station about 11am and will fly back to Phuket. Pian Keesin and his other son, Peun surrendered at the Royal Thai Navy Base about noon and were then escorted to Phuket City Police Station. More than 300,000 baht was found in a box at Khun Pian's house, say police
Original Report
PHUKET: Former Patong Mayor Pian Keesin was believed to be preparing to hand himself in at Phuket City Police Station base today with a large crowded of supporters gathering outside.
Khun Pian faces arrest in a swoop by a task force that is probing taxi and tuk-tuk networks on Phuket and allegations of a corrupt ''mafia'' operating to support drivers.
His son Prab, a well-know Patong businessman who at one stage reformed the taxis and tuk-tuks in parts of Patong and reduced violence and conflict, is also expected to report later today.
Scores of drivers were arrested when the task force went into action on Thursday, raiding 16 offices around Patong, including the family's Pisona Group headquarters and the mayor's home nearby.
More than 100 people were gathered at Phuket City Police Station, on Phuket's east coast - the opposite side to Patong. Many in the crowd told Phuketwan that Khun Pian was ''a very good man and a very good mayor'' and offered him their continuing support.
After a long period in the role of mayor, Khun Pian lost a re-run election earlier this year and at the age of 70, is believed to have decided to quit politics.
