PHUKET: Two Deputy Mayors of Kata-Karon, the Director of Engineering and the Senior Operations Officer surrendered to the Phuket taxi investigations task force today.

More details were revealed at a media conference at Phuket Provincial Police Headquarters, where the four were presented to the media.

Arrest warrants for the four officials were obtained after investigators probed bank accounts and examined links between the taxi and tuk-tuk drivers who operate in Kata-Karon, south of Phuket's popular holiday hub of Patong.

A crackdown involving more than 1100 soldiers, police and volunteers resulted in more than 100 arrests earlier this month, including the Mayor of Kata-Karon.

More activity is expected in Patong and at Phuket International Airport as Phuket seeks a modern, inexpensive taxi network to replace the traditional system, based on jobs for the boys and as little work as possible at ultra-high fares for the drivers.

The four Kata-Karon officials who surrendered to task force officers today in Phuket City are Deputy Mayors Ithiporn Sangkeaw and Sompong Dabpeach, Director of Englineering Wanchai Seatan and Senior Officer Weerasak Aneakwongsawat.