A concerted crime sweep in anticipation of the start of the ASEAN Economic Community next month netted the arrests of five South Koreans allegedly running an online gambling operation.
Deputy national police chief Pol. Gen. Wuthi Liptapanlop and Tourism Police Division Region 3 commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Naret Nantachote dispatched 800 Pattaya, Chonburi, Tourist, Immigration, Marine and investigative officers, plus military personnel, in the city-wide sweep Nov. 9.
The operation was held to reassure tourists and prevent crime.
Police announce their massive haul of criminals, drugs, paraphernalia and weapons since the beginning of the year.
Naret said Chonburi was chosen as a high-priority province because of its massive numbers of international visitors, with more expected once the AEC begins in December. Corruption and drugs were targeted during the crackdown, including fake tour guides, money launderers and others.
On Nov. 10, five arrests made the previous evening were announced. Kim Taewong, Park Seyong, Kim Youngjin, Choi Yongseok and Yoon Seonghun were caught running an illegal online-betting operation that, police said, earned the five 150,000 baht a month.
For the year to date, Chonburi authorities also have seized 142 guns, 158 bullets, 633,356 methamphetamine tablets, 60.1 kilograms of kratom leaves, 18.1 grams of dried marijuana and 71.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine, Wuthi said.
Arrests include three fake tour guides, three vendors with no business license, 13 scammers, five extortionists, five copyright pirates, 142 drug users, 85 drug dealers, 66 fugitives, 28 foreigners working illegally, 38 murderers, 65 thieves and 112 people arrested for domestic violence.
He noted that Pattaya was not the only police target and other popular tourist destinations will be inspected as well.
