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FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2014
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TAXI RANK TAKEDOWN Next target will be ‘influential people’ in Phuket Staff reporters editor@classactmedia.co.th
F
ollowing up on the mass arrests of taxi drivers last week, a 150-strong task force, comprising both police officers and government officials from Kathu and Patong, could be seen over the weekend in Patong, Kalim, Cherng Talay, Surin Beach and Mai Khao
demolishing dozens of taxi ranks built on public land. The force, comprising both police officers and government officials, was led by Region 8 Police Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Panya Mamen, Phuket Vice-Governor Jamroen Thippayapongthada and municipal leaders. Initially it was reported that 16 ranks were targeted but police said these were only the initial “survey” targets, and during their inspections
they became aware of another 10, all of which were dismantled on Friday and Saturday (June 6-7). Kathu Police instructed Patong Municipality to inform them immediately of any other cases of “invasion of public space for personal/private benefit”. On Wednesday (June 11), Pol Maj Gen Paween Ponsirin, Commander of the General Staff Division, Provincial Police Region 8, who heads
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up the anti-taxi mafia action, said that all 108 wanted taxi drivers are now in custody. He now has orders, he said, to go after the influential people and local politicians controlling much of the taxi industry on Phuket Seventy-three taxi drivers were arrested in the original swoop that took place across the island on June 4, out of a total 108 people wanted on 111 arrest warrants.
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