An alleged Myanmar mafia figure and several accomplices accused of demanding protection fees from Myanmar workers have been arrested during a joint raid on a building in Bangkok’s Pratunam area.
A combined team of officers from the the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc)’s Bangkok branch and immigration police, led by Maj Gen Manas Chandee, searched the building in Pratunam on Tuesday following complaints that Myanmar mafia figures were allegedly extorting money from Myanmar workers, Thai media reported.
The raid targeted two Myanmar men — Ang Khu and San Jay – who were said to be the gang leaders.
Mr Ang Khu and several aides were detained, but Mr San Jay reportedly left for Myanmar on Monday.
The alleged gang leader and his aides were taken for questioning.
A source said several Myanmar workers had lodged complaints with the Isoc’s Bangkok branch that the Myamar mafia gang had demanded protection money. Those who refused to pay were assaulted, the complaints said, and several were killed.
Isoc opened an investigation and found that the two alleged mafia leaders had demanded that Myanmar workers in the area pay protection fees of 4,700 baht per month. About 20 Myanmar workers had paid the fees -- despite having legal work permits -- for fear of assault, said the source.
The complainants told authorities that Mr San Jay had claimed he worked for the tourist police, showing a T-shirt bearing the tourist police logo.
The alleged mafioso had threatened to alert police if any Myanmar workers changed employers or were unable to show proper documents, the complainants said, and demanded money from workers in exchange for not reporting them to police.
The investigation was continuing.
Officers from the Internal Security Operations Command’s Bangkok branch and immigration police raid a building in Pratunam, Bangkok on Tuesday. (Photo supplied by Isoc)