The break in the case came when police arrested the gang’s leader, Chaiprasit “Jiw” Boonyok, 20, from Songkhla.
Jiw was arrested near the Banzaan Fresh Market, opposite Jungceylon, after a tourist reported being robbed on Monday night (May 21). Police went to the scene and spotted Jiw, who looked uncomfortable and acted suspiciously when they arrived.
They grabbed and searched him, finding the belongings reported missing by the tourist.
Jiw named the other members of the gang, five of whom were quickly rounded up. A sixth member, a 16-year-old from Satun, escaped capture because he had gone home. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Apart from Jiw, all gang members were between 14 and 17 years old, and all had devil and carp tattoos, their gang symbol.
Pol Maj Somsak Tongkliang explained, “They would rob in pairs, one riding the bike and the other, on the back, snatching the tourists’ belongings. Each duo would rotate, robbing in Patong, Kata and Karon four or five days a week.
“One day a week the gang would all come together in one of these places and ride out together to rob people en masse.
“Most of the stolen belongings retrieved were cell phones and cameras. They would sell these and share the proceeds, along with any cash they managed to snatch.
“So far we know they were definitely involved in 17 robbery cases, but we believe that altogether they carried out 30 to 40. We are contacting possible victims to confirm whether their belongings are among those seized.”
Jiw admitted to police that he and other gang members robbed tourists for the money to buy drink and party at night.
Police also arrested Kitti Kasirak, 28 from Phuket, a salesman in a shop in Big C Supermarket in Phuket Town, who allegedly bought stolen cell phones from the gang.
“We’re investigating the shop owner, too, to see whether he was involved in fencing stolen goods,” Maj Somsak said.