CSD sends in firepower after killings stun province
Commandos, 300 extra officers to stem rising crime in Phatthalung, writes Wassayos Ngamkham
The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) is sending in large numbers of officers, commandos and even helicopters after a string of fatal shootings in Phatthalung over the past two months claimed more than 10 lives, including a monk.
The CSD says its crackdown is intended to ease the sense of fear among villagers after the spate of killings.
Officers from the CSD sub-division 6 were sent to Phatthalung last week and 300 more will join them at a later date, including commando police units and helicopters, sub-division 6 chief Somphong Suwanwong said.
The increase in violent crimes means the area needs an influx of officers, as the Phatthalung police and Provincial Police Region 9 can no longer deal with it.
The high number of casualties stems from business and drug conflicts, personal quarrels, and also what Pol Col Somphong calls “dignity issues”.
“Some may argue over the possession of one or two methamphetamine pills, but they quickly resort to shooting each other because they feel their dignity was offended,” Pol Col Somphong said.
Pol Col Somphong said many Phatthalung people would rather settle a quarrel themselves rather than wait for the authorities to act.
“Shootings simply break out over small issues,” he said, “They [locals] never want to rely on police.”
One victim of the violence in the area was Phra Suchat Suchato, of Wat Khuan Phanangtung in Khuan Khanun district.
The 66-year-old monk was shot dead on Sept 16, and at his funeral on Sept 26, his body set on fire by an arsonist, according to police.
On Sept 3, Sitthimongkhon Chaiphan, 31, a resident of Kong Ra district, was found dead by the side of the road in tambon Cha Rat.
Sitthimongkhon’s wife told police that the night before he was found, a friend had asked to meet him to discuss a personal problem they were having.
In July, a man sprayed bullets from a M-16 assault rifle at a house on Chaloem Phrakiat Road in Muang district.
The attack killed Somchok Truatngu, 33, and wounded his wife, Nutcharin Purintraphiban, 34. Police suspect the murder was linked to Somchok’s loan business.
On average there are between five and seven shootings a month in the province, according to police. Local villagers also complained about people firing guns into the air at night. Police are concerned the bullets could injure villagers.
These crimes only add to a stigma which Phatthalung is developing as a crime centre, and adds to its notoriety for producing what Pol Col Somphong calls “Otop gunmen”.
Otop, which stands for One Tambon One Product, refers to a former government project to help boost the economy of villages or tambons by urging them to make and sell unique products.
Phatthalung’s Otop is seen in criminal circles as hitmen or bodyguards. These rogue elements are helped by the fact that it is easy to acquire or make guns, Pol Col Somphong said.
“When weapons are found easily, crimes are commonplace,” Pol Col Somphong said.
He added that mixing alcohol with energy drinks and krathom-based narcotic cocktails tends to cause brawls among teenagers which often end in bloodshed. Pol Col Somphong hopes this week’s operation will tackle influential figures and confiscate illegal weapons from the province.
Eventually, the sense of lawlessness will fade in favour of an environment in which locals can feel safe.
“If we can eliminate the weapons and put pressure on the criminal elements, the mission to restore peace in Phatthalung will have come a long way,” Pol Col Somphong said.