A former Chonburi Immigration Office employee was arrested for allegedly masquerading as an immigration cop and shaking down Koh Larn business owners.
Shinawat Waiwinyab, 30, was captured at a market on the island March 4. Officers found on him a stolen 9mm handgun, four bullets and a fake Immigration Police identification card.
Shinawat Waiwinyab (seated) has been arrested for extortion on Larn Island.
A subsequent search of his apartment uncovered five pairs of handcuffs, a BB gun, walkie-talkie, two flashlights and several police uniforms.
Col. Supachai Phuikaewkhum said police had received numerous reports that the Ayutthaya native was acting as an immigration officer and arresting foreign workers on the island. He allegedly would then demand cash from the Thai business owners to release the foreign workers.
The handgun, he added, was reported stolen from a Koh Larn shooting range.
Shinawat admitted he used to work for the Chonburi Immigration Office, but had quit. He denied the extortion charges and said he had the fake ID only for fun.
