Chalong Police yesterday (Dec 29) confirmed that officers launched an investigation after receiving reports that two men had been approaching foreigners and claiming to be assisting Thai police and military operations near the Cambodian border. The pair allegedly used this claim to intimidate victims and extort money at villas and locations around Rawai.
After gathering evidence, investigators sought arrest warrants from the Phuket Provincial Court for the two suspects, identified only by the names ‘Paripat’ (or ‘Ped’) and ‘Suriya’ (or ‘Ya’). The court subsequently issued warrants No. 1210/2568 and 1211/2568 on charges of attempted fraud by impersonating another person.
Working together with Highway Police, officers tracked down the vehicle believed to have been used in the offence and moved in to arrest the suspects.
Both men are now in custody and will be prosecuted according to the law, Chalong Police confirmed.
Residents or visitors who believe they may have been targeted or suffered losses from similar behaviour are urged to file a complaint at the police station in the area where the incident occurred.
Police also reiterated that officers are operating under the Royal Thai Police’s ‘No Gift Policy’, strictly refusing gifts, benefits or bribes in the course of their duties.