Phuket mafia bust: Assets to be seized

27 arrest warrants issued for former Phuket mayor, son & relatives. Accused of using hotels & resorts as front for illegal transport businesses, extortion, tax evasion & bankrolling politicians.

A police officer talks to Srikam Kisin, wife of Pian Kisin, a former mayor of Patong municipality in Phuket who is accused of running a criminal organisation in the province, as combined forces from the military and police raided his house in tambon Patong of Kathu district on Thursday. (Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd)

CRIME

Joint force seeks Phuket kingpin

Former mayor accused of running mafia ring

29/08/2014
King-oua Laohong

More than 100 police and military officers on Thursday raided the house and offices belonging to the former mayor of Patong municipality, Pian Kisin, and his son, who have been accused of running a criminal organisation in Phuket.

The raid was conducted by combined forces from Police Region 8, the army, navy, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) and the Revenue Department.

They raided eight locations, Mr Pian's house, the offices of Fisona Co, the offices of the Patong Bay Resotel Hotel and the offices of the Patong Bay Garden Resort.

The combined force also raided the office of Patong Hollywood Co, the office of Patong Bay House Hotel, the office of Patong Bay Inn and the office of Patong Bay Hills Resort. All are in tambon Patong of Kathu district.

Mr Pian and his son, Preechawut, were not found during the raids.

The pair are wanted under arrest warrants, issued earlier this week, for running a criminal organisation and operating illicit businesses.

During the search at Mr Pian's house, with the help of his wife, Srikam Kisin, officers found a rifle and documents.

Mrs Srikam told officers she did not know where Mr Pian was.

Pol Lt Gen Panya Mamen, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, said Mr Pian and his son formed an organisation to carry out criminal activities using the hotels and resorts as a front.

The suspects were found to have run illegal transport operations, suppressed competitors and dodged tax since 2005, he said.

Police spent three months compiling evidence to seek 27 arrest warrants and 12 search warrants for Mr Pian, his son and some of their relatives, Pol Lt Gen Panya said.

"The suspects are influential in local politics and the biggest mafia in Phuket," Pol Lt Gen Panya said, adding the suspects acted as financial supporters for politicians.

Amlo chief Seehanat Prayoonrat said the agency had been contacted by Police Region 8 to probe Mr Pian's assets which were alleged to be linked to extortion.

Several alleged offences breach Section 3(6) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, which concerns extortion, he said.

The suspects allegedly extorted money from hotel and tour operators, used private vehicles to run taxi services, barred other taxi drivers who were not members of their taxi cooperative from running services in their designated areas and crippled other business operators.

They also allegedly dodged tax.

Pol Col Seehanat said officers found documents had been moved from unknown locations to Mr Pian's house.

He said the suspects' ... properties could be seized.

The suspects' bank accounts will also be checked as they ran various kinds of business, he said.

After the police have completed their investigation and forwarded it to Amlo, the agency will proceed with asset seizures immediately, he said.

"Mr Pian used to be the kamnan of tambon Patong and mayor of Patong municipality and he used his considerable influence to expand his business," Pol Col Seehanat said.

He said officers are still unable to put a value on the assets which could be confiscated, as the suspects have scores of businesses and a large amount of assets.

Mr Preechawut was reportedly on a business trip in Bangkok when the raid took place...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/429270/joint-force-seeks-phuket-kingpin

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