In a major crackdown of loan sharks in the northeastern province of Udon Thani, police, military personnel and local administration officials arrested three members of a business family on charges of extending loans with exorbitant interest rates beyond legal limits and operating personal loan business without permission.

The three suspects from the same family were identified as Mr Somboon Jiamwittayasrikul, his wife Mrs Ratchanee and son Mr Pattharaphol.

The authorities also seized five cars, including a brand-new Toyota Alphard and a black Mercedes Benz, gold, Buddha amulets and many land title deeds from the suspects’ office, Pattharaphol Yontrakit limited partnership in downtown Udon Thani.

Six other alleged loan sharks were also arrested in two separate raids at a house without an address number and a 4-storey commercial building, also in downtown Udon Thani.  All face charges of extending loans with excessive interest rates.

Police said that they were looking for three other alleged loan sharks against whom arrest warrants have been issued by the court.  They were identified as Anond Sawatphira, Watchara Charnniti and Mrs Pornsiri Sapsiriyukong.

Pol Lt-Gen Surachai Kuandechakupt, commissioner of Region 4 Provincial Police Bureau, who led the raids said the arrests today of the alleged loan sharks followed intensive investigation of informal loan business in the province and issuance of arrest warrants by the court for 12 suspects.

Pol Maj-Gen Surachet Hakparn, deputy commissioner of Metropolitan Police Bureau, who co-led the raids said that the assets seized from the suspects today worth about 120 million baht were believed to be illegally acquired.