Gambling tops August arrests statistics

PHUKET: Statistics released by Phuket Provincial Police show that gambling once again topped the crime table, with 149 people arrested in August for the offense. Thirty-four cases involved the sale of illegal underground lottery tickets.

Eight murders were reported during the month with four cases solved, resulting in the arrests of six people.

There were six cases of attempted murder with no arrests. These cases are still under investigation.

There were 27 reports of theft, with two people charged with snatch-and-run crimes.

Two cases of rape were reported, with one person arrested. One case is still under investigation.

Sixty-seven people were arrested for the illegal possession of controlled substances. Forty-one were charged with the possession of a total of 3,057 ya bah (methamphetamine) tablets.

Of the remaining drug arrests, 10 were for marijuana possession, three for heroin possession and one for krathom (an indigenous Thai plant that acts as a stimulant ) possession. Twelve people were also arrested for substance abuse.

Fifty-two people were arrested for offenses related to prostitution.

Four motorcycles were stolen, with two people subsequently charged. No cars were reported stolen.