At 7:20am, Officers from the Royal Thai Police Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Crime Suppression Department (CSD), including special investigation unit of Phuket Provincial Police, descended upon the home, which sits across from Bus Terminal 2 in Rassada.
CSD Col Phumin Phumpanmuang led authorities in the raid as they acted on a warrant of arrest for suspicious activity following complaints by locals about alleged drug dealings and threats made to neighbours.
As soon as officers walked into the yard, one man ran out but was apprehended. He told police that four armed men were still in the house. Back-up officers were called to the scene as the armed suspects locked themselves inside.
At 11:30 am, police arrested five men and seized firearms and swords from the home. All were taken to Tourist Police Station.
At a press conference this afternoon, CIB Maj Gen Chartchai Eimsang announced the arrest of the five men: Jompon Siriwan, Pasakorn Wutthicharn, Boonnak Sornnum, Chairat Chanta, Chanin Phetkong. All were charged with Possession of Category 1 Drug (ice, heroin) with Intend to Sell and Illegal Possession of Firearms.
Police say one of the men had been wanted for attempted murder.
The home belongs to Former Rassada Mayor, Surathin Lianudom, aka Kamnan Sang and Phuket Patriotic Rebel leader, who no longer lives at the property.
“The house was left to my wife's brother. I moved out three years ago,” Mr Surathin told The Phuket News. Neither his wife or her brother were home at the time of the raid.
During the raid, Mr Surathin called out on a mega-phone for the suspects to open the door and surrender to police while scores of officers surrounded the house.
This morning’s raids is a continuation of the massive anti-crime blitz by authorities all over the region. Earlier this week, 58 suspects were arrested – along with more than 20,000 items seized – in raids carried out by more than 300 officers islandwide.
Stay with The Phuket News for updates.