Police have arrested 11 alleged members of two major loan shark gangs operating in Chon Buri province, Crime Suppression Division commander Supisal Pakdinaruenart said on Thursday.
Pol Maj-Gen Supisal said a force of 30 policemen from the CSD took the 11 suspects into custody after receiving complaints from food vendors.
The two gangs lent money to at least 400 people, at very high interest rates.
If borrowers fell behind on daily interest payments, the enforcers allegedly attacked them physically.
"We are putting together a case to arrest the leaders of both gangs.
"One of them operates a loan shark business in Uthai Thani province and the other is a well-known businessman in Nonthaburi province," the CSD chief said.
He said Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, who is in charge of national security, had ordered police to take serious action against loan sharks.