A police contingent from Banglamung and Pattaya Tourist police swooped on the beach last night to arrest a crocodile bag trader after a video was posted online.
Arrested was Somchai Kraiphan, 43.
Suggestions had been made on Facebook on the page of “Wicha tham” that the trader had threatened to shoot the tourist for not buying his wares. The poster called for “Mr Joke” to take an interest.
He was clearly referring to Maj Gen Surachet Hakpal the famous crime buster known as Big Joke in the Thai media.
Big Joke was busy on a mission to stamp out football betting in the south so Pattaya tourist police chief Piyapong Ensarn took over and went in with Bang Lamung cops.
Somchai was hauled off the beach and taken to the local station.
He wai-ed to society in the standard apology but asked guides with Chinese tourists to understand that he and his mates are just trying to make money for their families.
The Bang Lamung station chief said he would be charged but the nature of the charge was not reported by Pattaya Update News in their Facebook report of the story. DN – EP
Police swoop is “No Joke” after Pattaya beach trader threatens to shoot Chinese tourist
