Yakuza suspect arrested

CRIME

Police have arrested an alleged member of a key yakuza gang living in Thailand for the past three years after fleeing Japan where he is wanted on an attempted murder charge.

Kimio Masa Yoshimato, 37, a suspected leading member of Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan's largest yakuza organisation, was arrested yesterday on a warrant for jumping bail in connection with a Thai extortion charge.

Central Investigation Bureau chief Tha-ngai Prasajaksatru said Mr Yoshimato was arrested at an apartment in Pathumwan district yesterday morning.

Pol Lt Gen Tha-ngai said Japanese police had sought the cooperation of Thai police in arresting Mr Yoshimato.

He was charged in Japan with attempting to kill members of a rival gang in Osaka on May 29, 2006. He allegedly shot and injured three gang members.

Police quoted Mr Yoshimato as saying he fled to Thailand three years ago after a conflict with a rival gang.

They said he married a Thai woman and she earlier filed a complaint with Sutthisan police claiming Mr Yoshimato had tried to blackmail her into paying him 2 million baht.

She said he threatened to make public a video of her having an affair.

Mr Yoshimato was picked up by police last year following the complaint. He was granted bail by the court and twice failed to report for a hearing before the court issued a warrant for his arrest.

Mr Yoshimato has denied trying to extort money from his wife.

Pol Lt Gen Tha-ngai said he would coordinate with the Japanese embassy for Mr Yoshimato's extradition to Japan.