In addition to the five arrested in this morning’s high-profile, heavily-armed raid in Rassada (see story here), two more suspects were presented to the press at the Tourist Police headquarters in Phuket Town.
According to the Royal Thai Police statement issued by Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) Commander Lt Gen Thitirat Nongharnpitak, his taskforce of 300 officers are currently in Phuket carrying out an anti-crime campaign targeting “influential people and hitmen”.
Today’s efforts targeted nine people, of whom eight were arrested, he said.
Weerawat Thanomkiat, 48, was arrested at a home in Tambon Kathu, where he was found in illegal possession of 14 rounds of .45-calibre bullets and nine 12-gauge shotgun cartridges.
Suwat Yalee, age not given, was arrested at an undisclosed address in Muang District, which includes Phuket Town, Wichit, Chalong and Rawai. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant issued in Krabi for theft.
Missing from the press conference, but with an empty chair waiting for him, was Noi Thongsin, 40, who was arrested in Patong on a warrant – issued on April 23, 2014 for rape.
Leading the press conference today were CIB Deputy Commissioners Pol Maj Gen Adis Ngamchitsuksri and Maj Gen Chatchai Ieam-saeng.
Gen Adis led the initial raids in Phuket on Thursday (Feb 18), when the 300-strong force arrested 58 suspects and seized more than 20,000 items in raids.
Among those arrested were 28 jet-ski operators, facing charges of “breaking jet-ski regulations”. (See story here.)