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.
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.
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.