A Russian man with bogus banknotes and an accused murderer were among four people arrested in a Christmas-period crime sweep.
Chonburi Police commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Nantachart Supamongkol joined Pattaya and Tourist Division officials at a Dec. 26 news conference to announce the arrests.
Sergey Nikiforov, 53, was captured near a currency-exchange booth at Pattaya Park with eight fake US$100 notes. A later search uncovered six more bogus bills. He denied all charges.
Murder and weapons charges were leveled against Supakpol Pimchan, 21, who was captured the afternoon of Dec. 26 after he allegedly gunned down 20-year-old Anurak Yodsingh during a heated argument at Dusit Thani Village in Banglamung.
Police said Supakpol confessed he and Anurak exchanged angry words and then punches. Supakpol said he was losing the fistfight, so he took out his Thai-made 38-caliber pistol and shot the younger man.
Other arrests included Teerasak Sudsawat, 43, who was caught with a 9-millimeter handgun at a checkpoint in Nongprue; and Saichol Sriarun, 35, who was captured in a sting operation in Samut Prakan with 9,400 methamphetamine tablets, a shotgun, rifle, 9mm handgun and bullets. He is accused of selling drugs in Bangkok and Pattaya.
