Phuket loan shark, henchmen netted in raid

PHUKET: Crime Suppression Division officers arrested a Phuket loan shark and his six henchmen in a raid on a house in Thalang district late yesterday afternoon.

Led by Maj Roongsak Maichandee and armed with a search warrant, the officers entered a house in Ban Muang Mai, off Thepkrasattri Road, and arrested Yutthana “Tum” Dorkjan, 31, for running a loan shark operation under the name Tum Credit.

The officers also arrested Surasak Tongyam, 19, from Uthai Thani; Artin Samit, 24, from Nakhon Nayok; Akekapong Rongharnkaew, 20, from Chiang Rai; Supakorn Polyium, 28, from Roi Et; Somkiat Sonmaneechoti, 28, from Nakhon Pathom; and Yutthapong Buanam, 28, from Phetchaburi.

“The six men went out onto the streets and into neighborhoods to find new customers, and collect payments,” Maj Roongsak said.

“They collected 20 per cent interest per month. The maximum rate to be charged on loans is set by law at 15 per cent per month,” he explained.

Police seized 107,000 baht cash, 19 debtor record books, business cards, two bankbooks, 15 mobile phones, one iPad, one laptop, five motorbikes, two cars and seven jackets emblazoned with the Tum Credit logo.

Officers also seized one semi-automatic handgun.

“They were all charged with operating and assisting an illegal loan business and charging illegal interest rates. They have all confessed to the charges against them,” he stated.

— Thawit Bilabdullar