Gambling still Phuket’s top vice

PHUKET: With 62 cases resulting in 204 arrests from December 1 to 30, gambling remains the most popular crime committed in Phuket. Illegal lottery ticket sales counted for 44 of the arrests.

Drug-related cases totaled 105 with 125 people arrested. Ya bah (methamphetamine) was involved in 35 of those cases, with 53 people arrested and 938.5 pills seized.

There were 33 people arrested for sniffing glue or paint thinners, 27 for possession of marijuana and two for possession for Ecstasy.

The number of cases involving krathom continues to rise, with nine people arrested for possession and 10,151 leaves seized.

Prostitution is also on the rise with 110 arrests, compared with 69 arrests in November.

Twelve people were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms.

There were four cases of attempted murder with three arrests made. No arrests were made in three rape cases reported on the island.

Ten motorcycles were stolen with five arrests made. One car was stolen with police yet to apprehend the thief.