First 16 drivers sentenced in Phuket taxi mafia purge

PHUKET: A judge has handed down sentences to 16 drivers operating in Cherng Talay for their involvement in the Phuket taxi mafia, the Phuket Gazette was told today.

The drivers each received a suspended one-year sentence and a 6,000-baht fine.

“These drivers from Cherng Talay, who pleaded guilty, will be on a two-year probation to prevent them from intimidating or taking vengeance on any witnesses or other persons,” Region 8 Police Deputy Commander Paween Pongsirin said.

A total of 194 people were arrested during the military-backed dismantling of the island’s taxi mafia starting in June.

However, one man continues to avoid justice.

“The cases for former Patong Mayor Pian Keesin and his sons [story here], in addition to 82 others, have been handed over to the prosecutor. However, one suspect, O-sot Mat-o-sot, is still at large,” Maj Gen Paween said.

The cases for Kata-Karon Mayor Tawee Thongcham and those connected to the taxi mafia in that area have also been handed over to the Public Prosecutor (story here).

— Chutharat Plerin