PHUKET: A massive anti-corruption task force led by soldiers and police began making raids before dawn today in a dramatic move aimed at crushing Phuket's taxi ''mafia'' and cleaning up underworld operations in the holiday hub of Patong.
Far larger than the strike in June that led to more than 100 arrests among taxi drivers and their alleged sponsors in the neighboring district of Kata-Karon, today's task force offensive targetted scores of drivers and entertainment businesses and the Patong officials who have allegedly benefitted from chronic corruption.
For more than a decade, tourists visiting Phuket have complained about the surliness and extortionate fares demanded by Patong taxi and tuk-tuk drivers. Now their bank accounts and tax records are about to be closely scrutised.
Soldiers from Region 4, the Royal Thai Navy, officials from the Tax Revenue Department, the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Organisation and police from Bangkok moved across Phuket in a top secret strike led by Police Major General Paween Pongsirin, Commander of the General Staff Division of Police Region 8.
''We have been planning this second action since the Kata-Karon raids,'' he told Phuketwan. ''It's far bigger and much more comprehensive, with hundreds of officers involved in Thursday's strike.''
Months of careful planning came together yesterday with last-minute briefings for scores of team leaders being held at Phuket Police Station in Phuket City. Phuket Police Commander Major General Krajang Suwanarat gave final instructions, with Major General Paween at his shoulder.
In a room nearby, police have been covertly working for months on dossiers covering many aspects of Patong, but particularly taxi and tuk-tuk drivers and the bars and entertainment venues and their networks.
The courts issued arrest warrants and warrants to seize documents in advance of today's action. More than 80 warrants are thought to be involved.
Patong Superintendent Colonel Jirapat Palchanaphan, who oversees Kathu Police Station, was at yesterday's meetings.
His first-hand experience of the bullying power of the Patong taxi drivers includes blockades of the roads, extortion and intimidation.
Far larger than the strike in June that led to more than 100 arrests among taxi drivers and their alleged sponsors in the neighboring district of Kata-Karon, today's task force offensive targetted scores of drivers and entertainment businesses and the Patong officials who have allegedly benefitted from chronic corruption.
For more than a decade, tourists visiting Phuket have complained about the surliness and extortionate fares demanded by Patong taxi and tuk-tuk drivers. Now their bank accounts and tax records are about to be closely scrutised.
Soldiers from Region 4, the Royal Thai Navy, officials from the Tax Revenue Department, the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Organisation and police from Bangkok moved across Phuket in a top secret strike led by Police Major General Paween Pongsirin, Commander of the General Staff Division of Police Region 8.
''We have been planning this second action since the Kata-Karon raids,'' he told Phuketwan. ''It's far bigger and much more comprehensive, with hundreds of officers involved in Thursday's strike.''
Months of careful planning came together yesterday with last-minute briefings for scores of team leaders being held at Phuket Police Station in Phuket City. Phuket Police Commander Major General Krajang Suwanarat gave final instructions, with Major General Paween at his shoulder.
In a room nearby, police have been covertly working for months on dossiers covering many aspects of Patong, but particularly taxi and tuk-tuk drivers and the bars and entertainment venues and their networks.
The courts issued arrest warrants and warrants to seize documents in advance of today's action. More than 80 warrants are thought to be involved.
Patong Superintendent Colonel Jirapat Palchanaphan, who oversees Kathu Police Station, was at yesterday's meetings.
His first-hand experience of the bullying power of the Patong taxi drivers includes blockades of the roads, extortion and intimidation.
Go boys go!!
Posted by Mike on August 28, 2014 08:16