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Prab Keesin is now protesting his innocence via Facebook

'I'll Turn Myself in on Monday'

Friday, August 29, 2014
PHUKET: Fugitive Phuket businessman Prab Keesin told his Facebook friends last night that he will surrender to police on Monday.

A warrant has been issued for Khun Prab's arrest as part of a continuing attempt to end the influence of Phuket's taxi and tuk-tuk drivers and those who support them.

A task force of 500 police, military, internal revenue and anti-corruption officials yesterday began a purge aimed at diminishing the power of the drivers in Patong, the popular west coast holiday spot where the businessman's father, Pian Keesin, ruled as mayor for many years.

The father and son and Khun Prab's brother Peun are among 14 people still being sought under arrest warrants approved by the courts.

A total of 68 arrests were made yesterday and those people are due to appear at Phuket Provincial Court today to ask for bail. The Patong raids follow similar raids in June in Kata-Karon, south of Patong, that resulted in more than 100 arrests.

Khun Prab is a former president of the biggest taxi and tuk-tuk group in Patong. He says he helped authorities to contain and organise the drivers.

He is credited with providing drivers with an organisation that reduced conflicts and violence, and with being a spokesperson for Patong businesspeople on many issues.

In his Facebook post at 11.19pm last night, Khun Prab defended his record over the past 10 years in community affairs. He says he has always supported governments as much as he can.

The family business, Pisona Group, was among offices raided by the tuk-tuk and taxi task force yesterday. Pisona has investments in resorts, property and entertainment venues in Patong.

More purges in other parts of Phuket are expected to follow yesterday's swoop.

The takeover of Thailand by the military on May 22 provided regional police with the perfect opportunity to tame the notorious taxi and tuk-tuk ''mafia'' on Phuket in the knowledge that they have the backing of a more substantial force if necessary.

Twenty-two tuk-tuks and taxis have been impounded at Phuket City Police Station as evidence from the Patong blockade in March.

The vehicles were identified from security camera footage and witnesses to the blockade by drivers that extended for about six hours.

Comments

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He is laying down the law? I hope he is arrested immediately on the DSI terms, not his terms!

Posted by coxo on August 29, 2014 07:48

Editor Comment:

The DSI is not involved in the current operation, coxo.

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A new record!!!
The Ed has remained silent for 5 days.
Congratulations on the new record :)
And welcome back...

Posted by Tyler on August 29, 2014 09:15

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How very gracious of you!!

Posted by terry on August 29, 2014 09:23

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Do not forget to bring AMLO and NACC to audit all their properties.

Posted by Whistle-Blower on August 29, 2014 09:43

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"He is laying down the law? I hope he is arrested immediately on the DSI terms, not his terms!"

Agree with you in principle, but is it really worth it to spend lots of money to apprehend somebody when he is surrendering anyway?

"Do not forget to bring AMLO and NACC to audit all their properties."

Do you really think they did not come up with this idea themselves. Do you really think they are idiots?

Posted by stevenl on August 29, 2014 10:23

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This allowing people of influence to dictate the terms of their arrest is annoying. Whatever happened to that Cable TV owner who also arranged his surrender for the murder / hit of the local journalist? His case has all but disappeared from sight. Any updates?

Posted by Arun Muruga on August 29, 2014 11:48

Editor Comment:

That case appeared to have been compensated away.

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Ed is only back becuase he is kissing Prabs bottom because he advertises with him at the top of the page with Patong Bay affermitive ed ?

Posted by paul smith on August 29, 2014 12:15

Editor Comment:

We have no time for low-blow insinuations, ''paul smith.'' Go away. Instead, perhaps try learning how to spell.

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"The Ed has remained silent for 5 days.
Congratulations on the new record :)"
That is longer than it took for factually incorrect and provocative comments to be posted.

Posted by Alan on August 29, 2014 19:22

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@stevenl @Whistleblower

Actually this particular crackdown is lead by AMLO and on the grounds that are under AMLO jurisdictions, so lessons from previous stage of crackdown were learnt, as AMLO has much wider procedural powers in regard of assets etc.

During last weeks I've observed , obviously , AMLO guys, at a location where they probably stay - without mistake by non-verbal communication they behaved as police in civil clothes,and looked as quite decent and dynamic people, I saw few faces of them yesterday in media .

Actually last time, when I've seen them was We.night - they were all but excited and made discussion in a group, few times I heard "Patong",
it was apparent that smth.is brewing, but exactly surely it was not said.

Posted by Sue on August 29, 2014 21:03

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Sue, I've translated your last post for the other readers. It took a while but I eventually found a program that translates from the origin of Uranish to English.
The result follows.
During the last few weeks I have been spying on the ALMO guys at an unknown location. They were involved in a spiritual ritual communicating by tantric methods, looking civil, moving energetically unlike normal judicial officers. I took photos and I believe some to be faceless.
On one occasion I stalked them throughout the night, they were consuming a brew being prepared by a man now identified as Mr Smith. After many hours of further consumption, the group decided to end the night in Patong.

Posted by Manowar on August 30, 2014 08:53

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How come the rich people can always tell the authorities when they hand themselves in? In most civilised countries the law enforcers go after anybody regardless of status and bring them to book. Maybe Thailand is different, the rich make their own rules.

Posted by Duncan B on August 30, 2014 09:19

Editor Comment:

It has nothing to do with being rich or poor. Those suspected of crime in Thailand quite often choose to hand themselves in. Clearly, until they do, they remain fugitives. I'll leave it to you to decide whether police need to waste their time actively pursuing someone who has said they will hand themselves in.


Friday March 29, 2024
Horizon Karon Beach Resort & Spa

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