Police poised to arrest mafia-linked politicians

[Nicke]

BANGKOK, June 3 (TNA) - The police are preparing to issue arrest warrants for a number of national level politicians suspected of involvement in protection rackets in Bangkok, the national police inspector warned today.

The announcement comes after a month-long crackdown on Bangkok mafias, who typically demand protection money from traders and motorists.

Pol. Gen. Sereepisut Taemeeyawes, the National Police Inspector, who chairs a Bangkok mafia suppression committee, said that evidence pointed to the involvement of high-ranking Bangkok administrators and local and national politicians in the protection scams.

Over the next month, investigative officers would issue warrants for their arrest, he said.

Since the launch of the police crackdown on mafias, police in Bangkok have arrested 95 suspects and are taking legal action against 38, some of whom are municipal officials and police officers. (TNA)