PHUKET: The Justice Ministry's Department of Special investigation today opened the campaign to clean up Phuket with a list of 11 names and organisations.
DSI Chief Major General Tharit Pengprasert told the media on Phuket that he wanted to ''send a message'' about rip-offs and abuses of tourists.
Addressing all of Phuket amid a day of dramatic developments, he said: ''All illegal businesses must stop.
''Within 30 days, we will lay charges of fraud against one of the people on this list,'' The 11 stood accused of ''abuses,'' he added.
''Stop what you are doing'' was the message, he said. The 11 named were the people who were responsible for some of Phuket's problems, he said.
Without making specific allegations, Major General Tharit provided the media with the list.
In mentioning the Phuket taxi stands, he said the people who headed those stands would be the ones that DSI investigators would pursue.
..San Jalernjid
..Thammawat Wongjalernyot
..Siwa Singyong
..Pian Keesin
..Prab Keesin
..Southern Business Association
..Limosine Call Center Ltd.
..Taxi stand in front of Jungceylon, Patong
..Taxi stand front of the Avista Phuket Resort and Spa, Kata
..Taxi stand front of the Dalar resort Bangtao Beach, Bang Tao
..Taxi stand at Baan Bang Duk, Sarku, Mai Khao
Pian Keesin is the Mayor of Patong and Prab Keesin is his son. Less is known about some of the other names on the list.
Phuketwan makes no assumptions of guilt and notes that this is a DSI list of people under investigation.
The opening of the Crime Crisis Centre at Phuket International Airport today was followed by a visit to Phuket City Police Station, where PM Yingluck Shinawatra is expected to formally launch the campaign and open a second Crime Crisis Centre shortly.
The DSI and other officials then moved to the Phuket Land Transport Department offices in Phuket City.
The leaders of some taxi ranks have been called there tolday to submit documents verifying the status of rank vehicles and drivers.
All 186 taxi ranks throughout Phuket are being required to produce documentation legitimising the vehicles operating at the ranks.
Illegal taxi drivers found operating from next week will be arrested.
The combined investigation aims to reduce scams, rip-offs and - judging by the DSI chief's statement today - strike a blow at possible organised crime on Phuket.
Complaints by tourists about scams and rip-offs by tuk-tuks, taxis, motorcycle hirers and jet-ski operators have led to an investigation of more serious allegations.
Thailand's top cop, Chief Commissioner General Adul Saengsingkaew, flies to Phuket by helicopter today to reinforce the message that ''the Big Cleanup'' is underway.
He will be in Patong's Soi Bangla tonight and meets with all of Phuket's police leaders on Saturday.
DSI Chief Major General Tharit Pengprasert told the media on Phuket that he wanted to ''send a message'' about rip-offs and abuses of tourists.
Addressing all of Phuket amid a day of dramatic developments, he said: ''All illegal businesses must stop.
''Within 30 days, we will lay charges of fraud against one of the people on this list,'' The 11 stood accused of ''abuses,'' he added.
''Stop what you are doing'' was the message, he said. The 11 named were the people who were responsible for some of Phuket's problems, he said.
Without making specific allegations, Major General Tharit provided the media with the list.
In mentioning the Phuket taxi stands, he said the people who headed those stands would be the ones that DSI investigators would pursue.
The DSI's Phuket Investigations List
..San Jalernjid
..Thammawat Wongjalernyot
..Siwa Singyong
..Pian Keesin
..Prab Keesin
..Southern Business Association
..Limosine Call Center Ltd.
..Taxi stand in front of Jungceylon, Patong
..Taxi stand front of the Avista Phuket Resort and Spa, Kata
..Taxi stand front of the Dalar resort Bangtao Beach, Bang Tao
..Taxi stand at Baan Bang Duk, Sarku, Mai Khao
Pian Keesin is the Mayor of Patong and Prab Keesin is his son. Less is known about some of the other names on the list.
Phuketwan makes no assumptions of guilt and notes that this is a DSI list of people under investigation.
The opening of the Crime Crisis Centre at Phuket International Airport today was followed by a visit to Phuket City Police Station, where PM Yingluck Shinawatra is expected to formally launch the campaign and open a second Crime Crisis Centre shortly.
The DSI and other officials then moved to the Phuket Land Transport Department offices in Phuket City.
The leaders of some taxi ranks have been called there tolday to submit documents verifying the status of rank vehicles and drivers.
All 186 taxi ranks throughout Phuket are being required to produce documentation legitimising the vehicles operating at the ranks.
Illegal taxi drivers found operating from next week will be arrested.
The combined investigation aims to reduce scams, rip-offs and - judging by the DSI chief's statement today - strike a blow at possible organised crime on Phuket.
Complaints by tourists about scams and rip-offs by tuk-tuks, taxis, motorcycle hirers and jet-ski operators have led to an investigation of more serious allegations.
Thailand's top cop, Chief Commissioner General Adul Saengsingkaew, flies to Phuket by helicopter today to reinforce the message that ''the Big Cleanup'' is underway.
He will be in Patong's Soi Bangla tonight and meets with all of Phuket's police leaders on Saturday.
Wow. naming names from the off. This is going to get interesting.
Posted by FrankieV on August 9, 2013 15:18