Phuket police apprehend duo for vandalising Russian tour buses

The tranquil island of Phuket was shaken as two men were seized by police for allegedly vandalising Russian tour buses. The duo was said to be receiving a bounty of 1,000 baht for each vehicle they damaged using a slingshot and ball bearings. They managed to wreak havoc on ten buses before their arrest.

The arrests were made following a warrant issued by Phuket Provincial Court on Monday. A collaborative effort of officers from Wichit Police, Phuket City Police, Chalong Police, and an investigation team from Phuket Provincial Police, along with investigators from Region 8 Police, led to the capture of the perpetrators on Tuesday afternoon.

The suspects, identified as Panupong, a 34 year old resident of Soi Samakkhi 2 in Phuket Town, and Sarayut, a 29 year old man from Pattani, were apprehended at a house in Moo 3, Wichit, and at a bus parking area on Soi Luang Phor Kluea, in Moo 3, Wichit.

Several pieces of evidence were seized by the officers, including two motorbikes used in the attacks, two slingshots, and 72 steel balls that were used to shatter bus windows. The men now face charges for damaging private property and public transportation vehicles, actions that could potentially put people in danger, reported The Phuket News.

According to the report, the duo confessed to using a slingshot loaded with steel balls to target the windows of 10 buses in three separate incidents. Two buses were damaged on October 26 at the Shell gas station on Thepkrasattri Road in Sapam, Ratsada.

On November 2, two more buses were targeted near the SuperCheap store in Soi Palai, Chalong. Last Saturday, four buses parked opposite Wat Chalong were damaged.

The men claimed to have been paid to carry out the attacks, receiving 1,000 baht for each bus they damaged. The police are now focused on finding the person who financed these acts of vandalism.

On November 3, Phuket City Police Chief Pol. Col. Pratuang Pholmana led a forensic team to investigate the damaged buses. The article included photos of the police inspecting the vandalised vehicles, particularly those bearing the logo of the popular Russian tour agency, Anex Tour.

However, none of the four police stations involved in the investigation have made any public announcements acknowledging the attacks. The investigation continues, and the authorities are committed to ensuring the safety of public and private property on the island.