Karon Mayor arrested for taxi-mafia connections

PHUKET: Tawee Thongcham, mayor of Phuket’s tourist-popular beach area Kata-Karon, was arrested today for his alleged connection to the powerful taxi mafia.

“Mr Tawee surrendered himself to police after a warrant for his arrest was issued,” said Maj Gen Paween Pongsirin, who once served as Phuket City Police and is now a deputy commander of the Royal Thai Police Region 8 division.

Tawee Thongcham has long been at the head of local politics in Kata-Karon. He was elected Karon Mayor for the third term running in July 2012.

— Saran Mitrarat