7 rounded up on drugs, arms, theft charges in Phuket

PHUKET: The arrest of one man found with drugs and a handgun on his person at a roadside police checkpoint on Sunday night has led to the arrest of seven more suspects.

Col Komol Wattarakorn, Deputy Commander of Phuket Provincial Police, presented the eight suspects, along with two others, at a press conference at Phuket City Police Station yesterday.

“We first arrested 28-year-old Thuwanon Khamplook from Phuket with 33 ya bah pills, 1.05 grams of ya Ice (crystal methamphetamine), a handgun, two 9mm bullets and four bullets for a .38 handgun,” said Col Komol.

“He was caught at a checkpoint on Khoommuang Chaofah Road in Wichit at about 10pm on Sunday night.

“He has been charged for possession of drugs with intent to sell and for carrying an illegal handgun and bullets,” Col Komol said.

Further investigation led to the arrests of Phuket couple 23-year-old Pitchaya “Boom” Sutthakiattisook and her boyfriend Nitikorn “Ne” Maneesee, 30.

Both were arrested at a car park in front of SB Living Place on Pattana Road in Phuket Town at 4pm on Monday.

“We arrested them with 2.6g of ya Ice and 70 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills. Both were charged with possession of ya bah and ya Ice with intent to sell,” said Col Komol.

Statements given by the three suspects led to the arrests of Apinan “Aan” Saetiaw, found with three grams of ya Ice in his shorts pocket; Worrawit “Joke” Chonsiri found in possession of 4.93g of ya Ice; Niwat “Tong” Wongkhamjan and Pongsura “Yai” Rattanadilok, found together with 100.3g of ya Ice; and Renoo Paho, found in possession of 35 ya bah pills.

“These five have been charged with possession of drugs with intent to sell. Their cases have been handed over to Thung Thong Police as they were arrested in Kathu,” Col Komol said.

Also presented to the press was 24-year-old Thawatchai Boonruam from Phuket.

“He was arrested with 0.024g of ya Ice at a checkpoint on Wichit Songkram Road in Wichit on June 27 [Monday] and has been charged with possession of an illegal drug,” said the colonel.

Police also presented Trairong “A” Wongjina, 29, also from Phuket.

Charged with snatch theft, Mr A was arrested after 47-year-old Prattana Puanglab on Sunday reported to police her bag had been snatched by a man riding a black Honda Wave.

Acting on her description of the motorbike and license plate, police arrested Mr A at his home in Wichit the next day.

“We have found several credit cards and membership cards belonging to Ms Prattana,” said Col Komol.

“He [Mr A] said he committed 14 snatch-and-runs before his arrest. He has promised me he will not do it again,” he added.

“We do not know yet the exact value of the items stolen by Mr Trairong, but we know there are at least 10 victims who have yet to claim stolen property,” Col Komol told the Phuket Gazette.

The original post of this news story mistakenly reported the officer quoted as Phuket City Police Superintendent Chote Chitchai. The error is regretted.

— Chutharat Plerin