Thai police have arrested an American drug suspect on Koh Phangan in Surat Thani.
The arrest of William Howard Priola, 54, from New York, was announced at a press conference at the Immigration Police Bureau Tuesday.
Immigration Police Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Wibul Bangthamai said Priola was wanted on an arrest warrant dated June 20 2005 for allegedly having drug in possession for sale and another warrant dated December 15 2004 on robbery charge.
Wibul said Priola escaped to Thailand on March 9 2007 through a checkpoint in Nong Khai and has never left the kingdom since then.
Wibul said Thai police traced Priola to Koh Phangan where his Thai wife, Kornrawee Kaewprasong, has a restaurant and he was arrested there.
Wibul said Priola will be extradited to the US soon.
The Nation
