KOH PHANGAN — Tourist Police on Koh Phangan arrest Gambian man who evaded Thai authorities for 7 years. Upon arrest, he loudly exclaimed ‘Bingo!’
At 1:30 a.m. on July 19, 2024, Koh Phangan Tourist Police arrested Mr. Saikou Jawara, age 52, a Gambian national residing in Ban Chaloklum, Moo 7, Koh Phangan Subdistrict, Koh Phangan District, Surat Thani Province. He was charged with ‘being a foreigner entering and staying in the Kingdom without permission’.
Mr. Saikou was apprehended while wandering along the street and about to enter Warren Bar. When he noticed the tourist police patrol car, he showed signs of panic and tried to flee to a dimly lit area of the bar.
When officers caught up and asked for documents, he exclaimed ‘Bingo!’ and was unable to produce a passport or any equivalent document. The arresting officers then took him to the Koh Phangan Tourist Police Unit for questioning.
Mr. Saikou initially claimed his name was Mr. John Ako, a Gambian national. Officers then found records of his departure by boat through Tammalang Port, Satun Immigration, on November 10, 2016, at 16:16. Comparing his current appearance with the records, they confirmed it was the same person.
The suspect confessed that after leaving Thailand, he lived in Malaysia for a while and lost his passport. When he wanted to return to Thailand, he contacted a Malaysian friend to help connect with a Thai friend, paying the Malaysian friend 200 US dollars.
Police investigation revealed that the Thai person who helped smuggle Mr. Saikou into Thailand also brought in three other foreigners of unknown nationality, who were residing in Moo 8, Koh Phangan Subdistrict. He had been living with a close female companion since 2017.
When questioned, the woman stated she was unaware of his illegal entry and had never seen his passport during their time together. This situation continued for 7 years until his arrest. He was then transferred to Koh Phangan Police Station for further legal proceedings.
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