Notorious pirate caught

RANONG (AFP): Police said today they had arrested notorious pirate Viroj Buasuwan, better known as “Roj 100 Corpses” for his brutal treatment of ships’ crews. Viroj, 50, was arrested on Saturday in Ranong on charges related to an attack on the Burmese trawler “Thorae” in January, the Crime Suppression Unit said. Roj and his 20-strong gang forced the crew of the trawler to jump into the sea and then towed away the vessel and its catch, worth a total of 3 million baht. The crew were fortunate enough to be saved, and later filed charges with police in Ranong. Roj’s gang, including four Thais and 16 Burmese, have also been rounded up, police said. Roj confessed to the charges, but told reporters that he mistakenly believed the “Thorae” was a Burmese naval vessel. He said that he had spent time in jail in Burma and that he planned the assault in revenge for the harsh treatment he had received there.