Gamblers still top crime stats

PHUKET: Gambling topped the latest Provincial Police crime statistics, for the period November 1 to 25, with 172 people arrested for playing illegal games of chance, 29 of them caught buying or selling underground lottery tickets.

Some 73 people were arrested on drug-related charges, with 27 arrests involving ya bah (methamphetamine) and 261 pills seized.

The remaining 46 drug-related arrests were for possession, or possession and sale of an illegal substance, including marijuana and substances used for sniffing.

During the period 38 illegal immigrants were arrested, as were 18 people for prostitution and eight for illegal possession of a firearm.

There were five murders during the period, with a total of three arrests made. There were also five cases of attempted murder, 19 cases of causing bodily harm and one rape, with no related arrests.

Police received 72 complaints of theft, with 36 arrests made.