TWO MEN have been charged with extorting money from vendors in Karon, pretending to be representatives of the Governor.
In an appropriate twist, it was Governor Wichai Praisa-nob's ''1000 eyes of the pineapple'' idea for island vigilante security that brought the two to justice.
Volunteer locals checking for crime were told of the threats and demands being made when they patrolled the Karon Plaza area on the beach road on Sunday.
The volunteers, who called in police, were told by store vendors that the two men had beaten and kicked at least one victim.
Vendors said there were many regular visitors claiming to be from Immigration, the police, the labor office and the local authority who demanded and were sometimes given money.
Chaowarit Pansin, 26, from Nakornsithammarat, and Jukkapan Panin, 29, from Bangkok, had been extorting funds for several months, the vendors told police.
For the first time, they were caught in the act on Sunday, officers say.
The men demanded between 400 baht and 800 baht per shop per visit, targetting illegal workers especially.
When vendors complained, they were threatened and sometimes struck, police said.
Karon's local leader, Winai Chidcheaw, told Phuketwan that the crime problem that existed in Karon earlier this year, to the point where residents staged a public protest, had been reduced through co-operative action.
''People around here have learned how to take care of each other,'' he said. ''And the police have been a help.''
Nightly patrols under the ''1000 eyes of the pineapple'' concept had restored the locals' faith in the law.
The two arrested men are being held by police pending further action.
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In an appropriate twist, it was Governor Wichai Praisa-nob's ''1000 eyes of the pineapple'' idea for island vigilante security that brought the two to justice.
Volunteer locals checking for crime were told of the threats and demands being made when they patrolled the Karon Plaza area on the beach road on Sunday.
The volunteers, who called in police, were told by store vendors that the two men had beaten and kicked at least one victim.
Vendors said there were many regular visitors claiming to be from Immigration, the police, the labor office and the local authority who demanded and were sometimes given money.
Chaowarit Pansin, 26, from Nakornsithammarat, and Jukkapan Panin, 29, from Bangkok, had been extorting funds for several months, the vendors told police.
For the first time, they were caught in the act on Sunday, officers say.
The men demanded between 400 baht and 800 baht per shop per visit, targetting illegal workers especially.
When vendors complained, they were threatened and sometimes struck, police said.
Karon's local leader, Winai Chidcheaw, told Phuketwan that the crime problem that existed in Karon earlier this year, to the point where residents staged a public protest, had been reduced through co-operative action.
''People around here have learned how to take care of each other,'' he said. ''And the police have been a help.''
Nightly patrols under the ''1000 eyes of the pineapple'' concept had restored the locals' faith in the law.
The two arrested men are being held by police pending further action.
Phuketwan Phuket News
Dear PM, Please Make Phuket Corruption-Free
Latest Happy Birthday, Mr Prime Minister. Here's a gift to you, an idea that could make Phuket and perhaps Thailand better places. Start your fight against corruption here, on one small island.
Dear PM, Please Make Phuket Corruption-Free
Will Asean Plus Six Sacrifice Meat, Drink and Sex?
Photo Album Is there room for 16 more people prepared to make sacrifices on Phuket during the annual Vegetarian festival? Visiting at that time are the leaders of the Asean Plus Six nations.
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