DSI to crack down on those 'who endanger tourism'
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The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has joined hands with three Phuket agencies to set up "an operation centre for the suppression and prevention of influential figures who endanger tourism", which will begin operating in 15 days at Phuket Int
At a press conference yesterday, DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said the centre – working round the clock with English-speaking staff – would collaborate with the Justice and Tourism and Sports ministries, the DSI, the police and provincial authorities. Another such centre is also being planned for Pattaya.
Tarit said Phuket suffered from two groups of influential people who endangered tourism. They included unregistered “black licence-plate” taxis and Thai-nominee foreign businesses. He added that the DSI also planned to take legal action and uproot “mafia” groups involved in extortion, racketeering and money laundering.
Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak also urged police to crack down on influential figures and warned that if officials were found involved, they would also be punished.
Phuket police deputy chief Pol Colonel Peerayuth Karachedi said Phuket police had already taken action against many black licence-plate taxis. He said police had made 2,607 arrests, but under Thai law the offences were only minor, which resulted in many returning to business.
Patong cabbie Donchai Keunoon, 46, said he wanted police to crack down on the black licence-plate taxis, which he said often returned to the streets after their owners had been arrested.
He also called on the authorities to register all taxi drivers.
