Thieving meth-heads arrested in Phuket

PHUKET: The crime spree of three drug-addicted thieves came to an end on Monday, following a series of arrests that began when one gang member was caught smoking ya bah (methamphetamine).

The trio were presented to the press at a conference held at Phuket City Police Station on Wednesday.

Phuket City Police Commander Pekad Tantipong identified the accused as Adisorn Hinkeaw, 25, Santi Sukchamlong, 26, and Surapong Potichan, 22.

The first two suspects hail from Phuket, while Mr Surapong is from Sa Kaeo province.

Their crime spree came to an end after Mr Adisorn was caught consuming ya bah at about 8:30pm on Monday, police said.

After his arrest, Mr Adisorn confessed to committing “many” burglaries and break-ins at various locations around the island with his partners, Mr Surapong and Mr Santi.

Mr Surapong further confessed that he had sold stolen property, including laptop computers and a gun, to a fourth man named Sawatemon Suritthurakarn.

Mr Sawatemon, a native of Songkhla, was arrested in his Wichit home at 11:30pm the same day.

A search of his premises uncovered stolen laptops, 186 ya bah pills, a bag of ya Ice (crystal methamphetamine), a bag of marijuana, a semi-automatic handgun and seven bullets.

He has been charged for illegal possession of drugs and firearms and for accepting stolen property.

— Janpen Upatising