Prostitution rates second in latest crime figures

PHUKET: Statistics released by Phuket Provincial Police show that prostitution-related crime resulted in the second-highest number of arrests, 91, in October, knocking drug offenses from its usual number two position and trailing only the perennial leader, gambling.

Of the 214 people arrests for gambling-related offenses, 23 cases involved the sale of illegal underground lottery tickets.

Seventy-four people were arrested for drug-related offenses, a 32% fall from the umber of drug-related arrests in September. Forty-five people were charged with offenses involving ya bah (methamphetamine), with a total of 1,443 pills seized; 14 people were arrested for cannabis-related crimes with a total of 3.008 kilograms of the drug seized.

Nine people were arrested for inhalant abuse; 1.4 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) was confiscated with five arrests made; and one person was arrested for possession of 15 leaves of krathom (an indigenous Thai plant that acts as a mild stimulant).

There were 81 reports of theft, for which 44 arrests were made. These included: two snatch thefts, in which one arrest was made; one mugging which remains under investigation; eight motorcycle thefts leading to four arrests; 13 cases of fraud, leading to six arrests and nine reports of embezzlement, with only one arrest being made.

There were six cases of attempted murder, with five arrests made. Two murders were reported and remain under investigation. There were three reports of rape leading to three arrests and 23 cases of assault were reported, resulting in 16 arrests.

Eleven people were arrested for illegal possession of firearms. One suspect was arrested for a pornography-related offense.