All bets are off as gambling tops arrests stats again

PHUKET: Gambling, with 162 arrests made between March 1 and 25, has again topped the monthly arrests statistics, the Phuket Provincial Police announced today. Of these, 25 people were arrested for being involved in the sale of illegal lottery tickets.

There were three cases of murder – including that of Preecha “Ko Noi” Kraitas (see also page 1). Three arrests made, two of them in connection with K. Preecha’s death. There were 14 reported assaults with seven arrests made.

Police also announced that one rape was reported.

Eighty-one people were arrested in connection with the possession or consumption of controlled substances. Of these, 36 were held for possession of ya bah (methamphetamine). More than 300 pills were seized. Another 28 people were arrested for sniffing glue or paint thinners and 16 for possession of marijuana. One arrest was made for the possession of ya E (Ecstasy).

Police said that there were 53 reports of theft and that 26 arrests were made in connection with those offenses. Three motorcycles were stolen during the period and two arrests were made in connection with the thefts.

Seventeen people were arrested for working illegally and 70 were arrested for offenses related to prostitution, most of them in Phuket City. Eight people were arrested for illegal possession of firearms.