CityNews – Several illegal debt collectors have been arrested in Chiang Mai.
On May 22nd, police arrested Chalerm Phewphan at a payphone after he was caught collecting money from a customer of an illegal loan business.
After his arrest, he explained that he had been hired as a debt collector. The people who owe money have to leave money in a designated area before a collector picks it up and delivers it to the secret loan office.
He led police to the office, confirming that there were currently 65 accounts, 53 of which were of people in Chiang Mai and two in Lamphun. Police seized all evidence, including cash and two mobile phones.
Later that day, one of the phones rang and the police were able to lure the caller to meet. Once they arrived, police arrested two people, 29 year old Tippawan Saiwongkham and 21 year old Apichart Poesoong. They admitted to being the illegal loan business owners. Tippawan said that she loaned money to people with a 20% interest rate.
On the same day, police also arrested another debt collector for a separate illegal loan business in Mae Rim, however another suspect who was with him at the time managed to escape.