Phuket Immigration nab wanted Korean

PHUKET CITY: Phuket Immigration Police yesterday arrested a Korean hiding in self-exile in Trang’s Kantang District. The man is accused of defrauding a construction company of US$343,000 (11.3 million baht) in his native South Korea.

At Phuket Immigration Office yesterday afternoon, Acting Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau Pol Lt Gen Boonraung Ponpanich explained that Immigration officers had, via Interpol, received a warrant for the arrest of Kim Eou Sug, 43, from the Republic of Korea.

Kim’s permit to stay in Thailand was canceled on February 7. After receiving intelligence that Kim was living in Phuket, Pol Col Ittipon Atchariyapradit, Superintendent of Phuket Immigration Office, launched an investigation to track him down.

Gen Boonraung said that Kim had been living in Kantang for about two years and had made investments in prawn farms in the area. “We coordinated with local police and were able to arrest Kim,” he said.

Kim, a former employee of Nara General Construction Co, is accused of defrauding another construction company of US$343,000. A warrant for his arrest was issued on May 17, 2006 by Suwon District Court in Korea, though the offense is alleged to have taken place in 2004.

Kim is being held at Phuket Immigration Office awaiting deportation to face trial in Korea.

In October, another South Korean, Park Hun Chun, was arrested by Phuket Immigration following a Korean arrest warrant for fraud. Park was accused of fraudulently obtaining about 10 million baht and allegedly connected to drugs and money laundering, Gen Boonraung said.

“Thai Immigration is in constant contact with Interpol to find out about any criminals entering the Kingdom. We pass on any information to every immigration office in Thailand,” he explained.

“We would like people to help us by looking out for suspicious foreigners. If you have any information, please inform Immigration. It will help clean up the country and inspire tourists’ confidence,” he added.