Commandos Raid Illegal Loan Shark Charging 365% Annual Interest; Fugitive Evades Court Verdict
Police arrested a fugitive loan shark in Uttaradit Province who was charging customers 365% annual interest rates and illegally possessed firearms. The suspect fled after posting bail to avoid his court verdict but was tracked down and arre
On May 26, 2569, Pol. Lt. Gen. Theerachat Theerachatthamprang, commander of the Provincial Police Region 3, ordered officers to arrest Thatsapon (surname withheld), 35, based on arrest warrant no. 360/2568 from Uttaradit Provincial Court issued December 16, 2568. He faces charges under the Firearms Act and the loan sharking prohibition law. The arrest took place in front of a restaurant in Ban Mho Subdistrict, Phichit District, Uttaradit Province.
The investigation revealed Thatsapon had engaged in illegal lending at extortionate rates reaching 365% annually. Following a search warrant, authorities discovered two firearms: a Lama brand 9mm automatic pistol and a Thai-made .22 revolver, along with large quantities of ammunition including 13 rounds of 9mm bullets, 6 rounds of .22 magnum, and 22 rounds of .22 long rifle ammunition. Officers also found notebooks listing thousands of debtors across Uttaradit Province and customer chat records.
After posting bail, Thatsapon fled and failed to appear for his court verdict, prompting the issuance of another arrest warrant. Investigators tracked him for months without success until learning he would celebrate his birthday at a restaurant in Phichit District. Officers raided the location and found him drinking inside. During the arrest, one of his associates pushed a police officer, and approximately ten more associates arrived to intervene. Officers quickly escorted Thatsapon from the area to prevent escalation before taking him to the police station for formal booking.
During interrogation, Thatsapon confessed he fled court because he had young children and multiple businesses to manage. He claimed he assumed the court would deny his release because of a red warrant from a 2560 drug case for which he received a 4-year-6-month sentence. Thatsapon alleged he had planned to voluntarily turn himself in within approximately two years but was arrested first. He was remanded to Uttaradit Provincial Court for further legal proceedings.
