Chai Nat: Thai police chief orders arrest of loan shark at somtum restaurant

The National Police Chief ordered the arrest of two people linked to a debt collection gang, who vandalised a somtum restaurant in Chai Nat province.

The owner of the establishment had registered to resolve her informal debts, leading to repercussions from the loan sharks. This event has led to wider investigations targeting loan sharks and other offenders involved in informal loans.

Police Lieutenant General Torsak Sukvimol, the National Police Chief, today, December 7, revealed plans to tackle informal debt issues in line with government policy. The initiative, proclaimed by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin, is a national agenda requiring the cooperation of all sectors to drive tangible outcomes.

The Ministry of Interior, along with the police, launched a registration system to assist in resolving informal debts. The system has seen a significant number of debtors and creditors registering, marking a positive step forward.

However, some incidents have emerged as a result of this initiative. A viral news story reported a debtor being terrorised by an informal loan gang, who vandalised her restaurant in the middle of the night after she had registered to resolve her debt. The incident occurred at a somtum restaurant in Paek Sri Racha Subdistrict, Sankhaburi District, Chai Nat Province, around 4.30am yesterday, December 6.

Following the incident, Pol. Lt. Gen. Torsak ordered Police Lieutenant General Jirasunt Kaewsaeng-ek, Commander of Police Region 1, to investigate and apprehend the offenders. The investigation found that the incident stemmed from Piyathida (surname withheld) borrowing 30,000 baht from Theerasak (surname withheld), who charged floating interest rates.

Property damage

Piyathida had to pay a daily interest of 850 baht, exceeding the legal limit. Having made these payments for 18 days, Piyathida sought help from the Sankhaburi District Office, leading to dissatisfaction amongst her creditors, reported KhaoSod.

Consequently, Traipob and Nirut (surnames withheld) visited her restaurant, causing damage to the property. The Sankhaburi Police Station gathered evidence, issued arrest warrants, and pursued the two individuals for charges of jointly invading a dwelling at night, stealing property at night using a vehicle for convenience, and causing property damage. Preliminary investigations revealed that the two suspects indeed came to collect interest on the loan.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Torsak also ordered the expansion of the investigation to Theerasak, the loan shark, and other accomplices. This behaviour, he stated, is unacceptable, and the culprits show no fear of the law.

He instructed all units nationwide to cooperate with relevant agencies to seriously address the issue of informal debts. Any violation of the law, he stressed, should be dealt with decisively and earnestly.