Jets, drugs and fast cars

[reader]

For the past six weeks, the local and international media have been carrying accounts of raids on multiple locations in the Bangkok and Pattaya area where Chinese triad gangsters were operating upscale gambling and drug dens catering almost exclusively to wealthy Chinese. Here's an excerpt from an article in today's South China Morning Post (the remainder of story sits behind a paywall). Some of it reads like something out of John Burdett's Bangkok 8.

"A seized private jet, supercars, drugs and palatial mansions: the spoils of crime committed by suspected Chinese gangsters based in Thailand are raising awkward questions over how foreign criminals have freely moved millions of dollars of illicit money through the kingdom.

The scandal began to unfold in late October, when a nationwide anti-drugs operation by the Thai police unearthed a cavernous illegal nightlife den – called Jinling – hidden behind a car wash in Bangkok’s Sathorn commercial district.

It catered to a near-exclusive Chinese clientele, serving up bags of ketamine and other party drugs in karaoke rooms that raged through the night, allowing guests to stash any unfinished drugs for their next visit."

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The scope of the triads' activities doesn't seem to be limited to drugs and gambling. Human trafficking has previously been reported as a lucrative ASEAN-wide endeavor.

Although the major Thai news sites have covered the evolving expose, the Bangkok Post has probably focused most intently on it. Unfortunately, those articles also reside behind a paywall.  The Thai Examiner's accounts are available on line:

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/11/03/police-see-new-threat-from-chinese-kingpins/

 

[reader]

From The Nation

The secretary-general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office Piyapan Pingmuang has reportedly resigned following an allegation he is involved with Chinese triads in Thailand.

News of Pol Maj-General Piyapan’s resignation was made public by former massage parlour tycoon and politician Chuwit Kamolvisit in a Facebook post on Monday.

Chuwit also attached a photo of Piyapan’s resignation letter to the post.

Chuwit said the resignation came after former Democrat MP Watchara Phetthong urged the Senate to investigate Piyapan and his deputy Theppasu Bavornchotidara for allegedly assisting members of Chinese triad criminal gangs in various illegal operations in Thailand.