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Published on January 26, 2008

Police arrested a heavily armed kidnap gang Thursday following a 30-minute stand-off at a central Bangkok luxury apartment.

The arrests came a day after the gang of rogue border policemen and accomplices released a woman, her family, a friend and an employee following a four-day ordeal. The gang demanded Bt8.68 million for their release, which the woman paid after withdrawing the sum from bank accounts.

Kidnap victim Piengjit Peungon, 42, reported the abduction and extortion to Bang Phlat police after she and the others were released on Wednesday.

The gang of 13 border-patrol policemen and several accomplices allegedly nabbed the family and the two others from an apartment in The Commonwealth building in Bang Phlat on Sunday.

Police said gang members beat Piengjit's 15-year-old son to force her to agree their demands.

A source said Piengjit was paid a Bt20-million divorce settlement several years ago.

On Thursday, a team of 30-plus police surrounded the Aree Residence apartment building in Phya Thai, where the victims had been held.

Police said the heavily armed suspects initially refused to surrender. But after a 30-minute stand-off, Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Asawin Saikwan persuaded the 12 gang members inside the apartment to give themselves up.

Police said the leader was Captain Nat Chonitiwanich, 28. They said one of his civilian accomplices, Sirinthip Modesakul, was a former employee of Piengjit, and was used to make initial contact with the victims ahead of the abduction.

Police seized Bt5.6 million in cash, nine weapons and more than 200 rounds of ammunition.

Asawin called on anyone who suspected they had been victims of the gang to come forward. He described its criminal activity as "blatant".

Nat refused to give a statement, except to say he and his accomplices had been engaged in tracking down drug dealers.

The other officers arrested on Thursday were Sgt-Major Chawalit Sumon and Sgt-Major Manop Sukdongmit; Lance-Corporals Arkom Sudjai, Akradej Kotchakrit, Chatree Pankunrung and Rungroj Kretju and Corporal Neramit Jatumit. All were assigned to an intelligence unit.

The civilians arrested were Sirinthip, Pakorn Marukaphan, Siri-apa Tipayanon and Jureeporn Boonyametha.

Asawin said police continued to seek suspects Senior Sgt-Major Prasarn Sorntawee, Sergeants-Major Anuchit Prom-ubon, Anusit Netsuwan and Viroj Seekhao and Lance-Corporal Theerasak Klamtako.

The Nation