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Phuket's Prab Keesin Says DSI Use of 'Mafia' Word Will Hurt Patong
By Phuketwan Reporters Monday, August 12, 2013
PHUKET: Embattled Patong businessman 'Prab' Keesin went on the attack last night, telling some Phuket media that the Department of Special Investigation could damage tourism if it didn't sort the ''mafia'' from the ''Mafia.''
''They will destroy the confidence of tourists and investors,'' he said. ''I would like to send a message to everyone that in Patong we don't have any Mafia in the foreign meaning.''
Khun Prab, one of 11 Phuket suspects prematurely named in a DSI list released on Friday, was addressing a group of Phuket journalists at the Patong Bay Garden Resort.
The family-run resort now juts out onto Patong beach. Phuketwan was not invited to last night's gathering but has since viewed the video.
Last week, Khun Prab told Phuketwan that the DSI should be telling people who were the guilty ones, those who gave bribes or those who took them.
Last night he addressed the ''Mafia'' versus ''mafia'' issue, which has long been a topic on Phuketwan where the word monopoly is preferred.
''In Patong we don't have the Mafia as in the foreign meaning,'' he said. ''We simply have people who are going about their business.
''In Patong, we don't have gangsters who kidnap people and hold them for ransom. These people are real criminals.
''Many countries have real Mafia, drug barons and killers. When the word 'mafia' is used in Thailand, it can be people who are in a local network, sharing the same activity.
''People use the word wrongly, without understanding its meaning. So when you say the 'mafia', do you mean the mafia or the Mafia?
''Do people understand the difference, or not?''
He said he'd heard from many businesspeople in Patong that misuse of the ''m'' word by the DSI would seriously affect tourism and investment.
''I'd like to send a message to everyone that in Patong, we don't have any Mafia, in the foreign meaning,'' he said.
Khun Prab - sometimes called ''Dr Prab'' because of his overseas studies - said he had lived in Patong for a long time and did not know what the ''mafia'' looked like.
He said that of the 11 DSI listings, he was connected to four of them. His father, Patong Mayor Pian Keesin, was also named on the list.
Khun Prab said that he had helped to establish a taxi and tuk-tuk rank at Patong's Jungceylon shopping centre, putting the drivers in uniform, providing them with walkie-talkies, and instruction in proper service and the English language.
Other tuk-tuk group leaders in Patong had come to him and asked for advice on how to provide a similar upgrade in standards, he said. Some had even registered with his group.
Khun Prab said he had been supporting the call for self-management of Patong and believed that eventually, it was something that would work for the west coast city's future development.
Three other men named in the DSI list - all with connections to tour counter operations at Phuket International Airport - are suing the DSI.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
If Khun Prab is found guilty of any offences will Phuketwan disassociate itself from prominently advertising the Patong Bay Garden Resort, which features on the banner at the top of this report? Although as there is no Mafia in Patong I guess its OK to publicise the business. I trust your reporting will remain neutral and not affected by your sponsors.
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
August 12, 2013 09:15
Editor Comment:
We believe in the principle of people being innocent until proven guilty, Mister Ree. Making premature assumptions is something we will leave to readers who are less well acquainted with the principle.
I agree with what he says to a point. The word "mafia" has to be changed to - "local corrupt business men protected by local thugs and certain corrupt local officials" which would clear up the mess.
But I think he doesn't really know what Mafia means from this statement "When the word 'mafia' is used in Thailand, it can be people who are in a local network, sharing the same activity.
Unless we now call the Rotary Club and iBap Mafia - with his understanding of the word.
Posted by
Tbs
on
August 12, 2013 09:40
I think someone needs to explain to him that most people aren't ignorant and know there are forms of organized crime in every country. What hurts tourism the most is unsafe transportation at extortionate prices.
Posted by
rc
on
August 12, 2013 09:41
Khun Prab Keesin needs to realise that his only countrymen use the term "mafia" and by definition the term is correct, even if he and others do not like it. It is NOT the DSI or media that damages Phuket/Thailand's reputation, it is the so called "mafias," people like those being accused, like himself and his father, after all, if not for people like them, there would be NO "mafia."
Posted by
lonewolf
on
August 12, 2013 11:20
Editor Comment:
All Prab Keesin is saying is that the word is confusing and shouldn't be used if the DSI is serious about sorting out Phuket's problems.
A search for ''mafia'' on Google produces references to the Mafia (the real mafia) the rabbit mafia, the swedish house mafia, and the goodgame mafia.
We'll stick with ''monopoly,'' thanks.
'They (DSI) will destroy the confidence of tourists and investors,'' he said.'
Sorry Khun Prab; I disagree!
If the laws are equally, transparent and ethically enforced it will 'restore' confidence and create a sustainable environment for tourism, investors and the majority of local business people.
Posted by
Mr. K
on
August 12, 2013 11:33
RC, what any eye opener, here's me thinking tourism is hurt more by rapes, assaults, murders, scams and corrupt lazy cops, now I know it is only unsafe transportation at extortionate prices. Thanks so much your enlightening me.
Posted by
lonewolf
on
August 12, 2013 11:46
It is not about how to spell it, it is simply referring to the act of or acting like mafia or Mafia in my humble opinion.
It is not about who pays the bribe or who receives the bribe, it is about who asks for / demands the bribe.
Posted by
A fan of Phuket
on
August 12, 2013 12:17
'They (DSI) will destroy the confidence of tourists and investors,'' he said.'
No Sir they will restore the confidence that has been eroded by people who stick to the old ways and never change.
Posted by
Arthur
on
August 12, 2013 12:29
Ed, you can stick to whatever word you choose, it is a pity you do not grant commenters the same privilege, however, in this instance it was Khun Prab that raised the word "mafia" perhaps if it was NOT reported as such, then the word may slowly die away. If you like to bandy around words and what they mean, then you use of monopoly is also wrong. On the subject of the word mafia, there is also reference, on google, to Phuket mafia, Phuket taxi mafia, Phuket Russian mafia, amish mafia and whole lot more, this and by your own comment, proves the word to be a valid every day word. Until you are able to stop local authorities and alleged criminals using the word then maybe you should lay off the rest of us, we are not simpletons and know what the meaning of the word is, I doubt very much if anyone confuses it with any link to the Italian mafia. Anyone who has had a run in with any of the local "mafia" will attest to the fact that they do act in a very "mafia" fashion, threats, aggression, assaults and the occasional use of weapons, in fact if you look back, even killings (reference to a certain jet ski operator).
Posted by
lonewolf
on
August 12, 2013 14:03
Editor Comment:
what killing involving a certain jet-ski operator? You're living in a fantasy world, lonewolf. The ''m'' word - once a powerful signifier of gangsters who terrorised and killed - has been diminished by misuse, which is the reason why it has to be retired. Its usage these days simply piles confusion on confusion. And no, you don't speak for most people. You're just lonewolf.
I think if the majority of people who have bad experiences in Phuket choose the word "Mafia" then what ever anyone here even Prab Keesin will not stop people using it. This is a little like a plane crashing and the pilot is told off for using the wrong word. The fact is too many scams, etc are pi..ing people off to not return to Phuket and spreading the word that there are many greedy bullies here and that have been passed to the Consuls etc which has led to the DSI coming. Facts are facts! There are way to many greedy gangsters, criminals, ma..a whatever everyone gets the idea, not pleasant being ripped off almost daily if you are a tourist.
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
August 12, 2013 14:29
Editor Comment:
Your life sounds very different to that of the average resident or tourist on Phuket, FF. The fact is, most residents and most visitors experience nothing of the kind. No experiences with ''greedy bullies,'' no encounters with ''gangsters,'' and no ''criminals'' to be found. Your inclination to tell tall tales is a real concern. This is precisely the legitimate point Prab Keesin is making - stop your foolish exaggerations.
(moderated)
Posted by
Tommy
on
August 12, 2013 14:35
Editor Comment:
Now's your chance, Tommy. The DSI is there. Go for it. Take your evidence with you.
Editor
I think probably Lone Wolf has some right in what he writes, but you are always in a way be defined by Phuket? so I think you're afraid someone? and the language back to customers in Phuket Wan should stay far away shame on you.
Posted by
Norway
on
August 12, 2013 14:45
Editor Comment:
Our mission, Norway, is always to sort right from wrong. We also never forget which way is up. To speak of ''shame'' while hiding behind the word ''Norway'' tells us all we need to know about your courage and your character. We have no intention of letting the garbled accounts of anonymous commenters influence our judgement. Goodbye.
And on that note, we say to all the other anonymous commenters who want to force their opinions upon us without revealing their identities: show some courage and trot along to the Crime Crisis Centres, or cease your meaningless prattling.
Ed, I seem to misread a post from some years back, by adding killins, to you and you readers, I am man enough to sincerely apologise, are you man enough to apologise for your mistakes, or don't you make any? You ego must be out of control if you believe a word "has to be retired," you are ONLY an editor, of a very small online news outlet, the world will not listen to you, but hey, you have your little empire and I guess that gives you the rights of an authoritarian Emperor.
Posted by
lonewolf
on
August 12, 2013 16:22
Editor Comment:
Thank you for admitting your error. There is nothing emperor-like about me, nor would I need to be a man to admit a mistake. When we make them, we correct them as soon as we are can.
Ed, my earlier comment is accurate, ask the people on here if they have ever been ripped off. Please readers reply yes or never. How about being charged 8 Baht for electricity when the real price is 4 Baht. Sadly I know from experience and just told them I would not pay 8Baht. 100% profit that's greed for sure. Wind your neck in Ed, sometimes I think you make comments just for the sake of making them, only foolish people do that. If you want to turn PW into a crawling attempt to paint a more pleasant picture of Phuket than the reality it is a sad day. You seem to argue with everyone which shows you are not seeing the real world.
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
August 12, 2013 17:00
Editor Comment:
''Sometimes I think you make comments just for the sake of making them, only foolish people do that.''
I'm sure i said that a long time ago, FF. And you and the other no-name no-hopers didn't take a scrap of notice.
Have you ever stopped to wonder how it is that one day, Phuketwan is being blamed for painting a too-rosy picture of Phuket, and the next day we are being blamed for making it appear too grim?
Perhaps, FF, unlike you, we get it about right. Rip-offs over the price of electricity are universal. Your blathering is pathetic.
I think it's because it's a grey line that is walked by every level of society, but not by everyone, and is called "business as usual". Most of the criminal activity is under the surface. Never noticed by tourists. It's the locals that really have to speak up in order for things to change. Let's hope things do actually change.
Posted by
Ty
on
August 12, 2013 18:08
'In Patong, we don't have gangsters who kidnap people and hold them for ransom.'
Khun Prab has to understand that no matter what you call who, the concept is that every nationality that visits Phuket & specifically Patong, with or without kidnap, feels they are being held to ransom by the various groups who have been extorting huge sums of money from innocent tourists under whatever pretext.
That is what will be stopped by the DSI in due course to the delight of all who visit Phuket.
Posted by
Logic
on
August 12, 2013 19:01
OK, there is now a lot of comments about an Phuket mafia excisting. Looks like Prab and this forum editor not beleive so.
Dear editor, why not do an survey.
My advise, just send some of your brave journalist out to 50 restaurants and 50 bars and 50 hotels. They can anonymous in an envelope give their true opinion.
Dear Editor, you will find out the true!
You only have to know, some lips are sealed. Take that in to the calculation.
Posted by
cliwe
on
August 12, 2013 22:50
Editor Comment:
Cliwe. we know there is corruption on Phuket and more anonymous people who lack the courage to speak out won't solve anything. I suggest you go to the restaurants, bars and hotels and urge them to go to the Crime Crisis Centres.
Why don't we stop pussy footing around and get down to the nuts and bolts of the transport (tuk tuk) problems in Patong... it's nothing but a blatant rip-off is what it is. You want to stop hurting Phuket, then stop ripping off the tourists. Look at Pattaya... you can ride around the whole town for 20 baht.
Posted by
smoke and mirrors
on
August 13, 2013 08:51
Ed, you often say that the pessimists support the taxi/ tuk tuk "mafias," I fail to see how you link them together, as most, pessimists AND optimists, want the same thing, however, IF the allegations against Prab Keesin are proven, would that mean you have been supporting them, or at least those that Prab owns/runs? Just a thought.
Posted by
lonewolf
on
August 13, 2013 10:39
Editor Comment:
The Doomsayers are in agreement with the taxi and tuk-tuk drivers when they say ''Nothing is going to change.'' Fortunately, they are being proved wrong.
All the advertising on Phuketwan comes from legally operated businesses.
Only someone with a twisted outlook would prejudge individuals in advance of due process. In other words, don't give us this crap.
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If Khun Prab is found guilty of any offences will Phuketwan disassociate itself from prominently advertising the Patong Bay Garden Resort, which features on the banner at the top of this report? Although as there is no Mafia in Patong I guess its OK to publicise the business. I trust your reporting will remain neutral and not affected by your sponsors.
Posted by Mister Ree on August 12, 2013 09:15
Editor Comment:
We believe in the principle of people being innocent until proven guilty, Mister Ree. Making premature assumptions is something we will leave to readers who are less well acquainted with the principle.