KOH PHANGAN — Police arrest a Russian national in Koh Phangan, Surat Thani Province, for attempting to bribe officers with 1 million baht to avoid charges.
The Koh Phangan tourist police received complaints about foreigners working without work permits, particularly renting out motorcycles advertised on the Telegram platform. This platform hosted a group for Russian residents on Koh Phangan.
After an investigation, they discovered a user named “Bike Phangan Samui RENT SALE” offering motorcycle rentals through the platform. The arrest team then contacted the suspect via Telegram and learned the rental details: 2,800 baht per week, 2,100 baht for two weeks, with a deposit of 3,500 baht.
On July 10, 2024, Pol. Lt. Gen. Sak Sira Phueak-am, Commander of the Tourist Police, instructed the Koh Phangan Tourist Police to arrest Mr. Chervenko, 42-year-old Russian national, at Pooltrap Village Bungalows, Moo 6, Ban Tai Subdistrict, Koh Phangan District, Surat Thani Province, along with five motorcycles.
The motorcycles include: Honda ADV 160 CC, Honda Click 108 CC (license plate Surat Thani), Honda ADV 160 CC (license plate Chonburi), and two Yamaha NMAX 155 CC.
The arresting officers were told by other Russians that Mr. Chervenko was allegedly an influential figure in Russia. They charged him with ‘working without a work permit as a foreign national’ and ‘exceeding the validity period of his visa by 175 days’.
Mr. Chervenko admitted that he had not left the kingdom and was staying illegally. He had been renting motorcycles to earn a living until he was arrested.
The police report states that during the arrest, Mr. Chervenko offered, “Officer, how about this? I will give you 1 million baht in exchange for my release. I will call a friend to bring me the money within 20 minutes. Then it’s all over and you can go home to your families and enjoy a nice meal together.”
He even smiled and gave the officers two thumbs up.
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