British men arrested for extortion in Thailand
Police arrested two Britons and a Thai government official today for alleged extortion, money-laundering and illegal land deals on the popular resort island of Koh Samui.
Authorities believe the two British men, identified as Peter Jones (aged 40) and Crispin Smith (aged 43) are members of a US-based transnational crime syndicate known as the Bandidos motorcycle gang, said police Colonel Piyawat Kingket, spokesman for Thailand’s Department of Special Investigations.
The Thai man, Pramual Somwong, allegedly provided forged documents to assist in their illegal operations, Piyawat said.
Police believe the gang has been using Koh Samui as a base for criminal activities.
“The investigation found that the Bandidos gang imported more than three billion baht (€62.7m) and laundered it in Koh Samui in the form of investments in several tourist businesses,” including real estate and the bungee-jumping business, Piyawat said.
