Illegal money lenders arrested for threatening vendor in Phichit
Police apprehended a group involved in illegal money lending at exorbitant interest rates, following an incident where they allegedly threatened a grilled chicken vendor with a firearm.
The incident took place at the vendor’s stall in front of Bueng Si Fai in Mueang district, Phichit province. The 59 year old vendor, Pannee Noituan, reported the matter to the Mueang Phichit Police Station after providing evidence in the form of a video clip.
Yesterday, March 9, Phichit Governor Taneeya Naipinit instructed his deputy, Kitipon Wetchakul, to investigate the situation and assist Pannee, who earns a modest income selling grilled chicken daily. Pannee had borrowed money from a daily loan shark charging 20% interest over 24 days, with repayments of 200 baht (US$6) per day.
However, due to poor sales attributed to frequent road closures for cycling events around Bueng Si Fai, Pannee was unable to maintain the daily payments and requested a reduction to 100 baht per day (US$3). The lenders, however, refused and allegedly resorted to vulgar threats and brandished a firearm, threatening Pannee’s husband.
In response to the incident, the deputy governor provided financial support from the Phichit province’s donation fund to Pannee, encouraging her to continue her business. Officials from the province’s social development and human security office were also assigned to assist Pannee in applying for a government loan, offering up to 30,000 baht (US$890) without interest for low-income people.
Pannee revealed that many small vendors around Bueng Si Fai have fallen prey to illegal money lenders who exploit the downturn in the economy, charging interest rates above legal limits. The area around Bueng Si Fai, known for exercise and tourism, has been affected by frequent cycling road closures, impacting vendors’ sales and forcing them to resort to illegal loans.
Illegal loans
In terms of the investigation, Deputy Governor Wetchakul urged Mueang Phichit police to expedite the investigation and bring the offenders to justice. Police Lieutenant Colonel Supawat Phoona, under orders from Major General Thadet Klomkliang, Provincial Police Commander, assembled a team to track down the illegal lenders.
Two people were arrested outside a convenience store in Tha Lo market while collecting payments. The suspects, identified as 27 year old Athip, known as Arm, and 37 year old Mongkol, known as On, confessed to being part of the illegal lending operation, reported KhaoSod.
They denied the firearm accusation, claiming it was merely a mobile phone. Police are continuing to pursue other members of the group to face charges of unauthorised personal loan operations and charging interest rates above the legal limit.
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