Loan Shark on the Run Brought to Bay in Kanchanaburi
After more than two years dodging the long arm of the law, a former member of a loan shark gang was finally apprehended in Kanchanaburi on 24 January 2026. Police identified the suspect as 37-year-old Mr Kittisak, who was detained at a house in Moo 2, Tha Makham subdistrict, Mueang Kanchanaburi district. The arrest followed an outstanding warrant issued by Chiang Mai Provincial Court back on 10 May 2023.
The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) confirmed the operation was ordered by Pol Maj Gen Pattanasak Bubphasuwan. Officers from Division 5 carried out the arrest under the supervision of Pol Col Thanawat Hinyokhin and Pol Lt Col Sukhsit Prasert. Authorities say careful tracking and coordination were key to nailing down Mr Kittisak’s location after he fled Chiang Mai and tried to lay low in the west.
What He’s Accused Of
Police say Mr Kittisak is accused of jointly operating an unlicensed moneylending business and imposing interest rates that surpass Thailand’s legal limits. The alleged offences took place in early 2022 while the suspect and his associates were active in Chiang Mai province.
Investigators found the gang targeted vulnerable groups — small business owners and individuals struggling with cash flow. Loans were reportedly modest in size, typically around 5,000 baht each, but the repayment terms were punitive. Borrowers were said to be forced to pay 250 baht per day for 24 days. That daily grind adds up: 250 baht a day over 24 days equals 6,000 baht repaid on a 5,000 baht loan, effectively tacking on around 1,000 baht in additional charges.
Collections were made in person and on a daily basis by members of the gang, according to police. At least 30 to 40 victims were identified during the investigation, and several filed complaints at Mae Rim Police Station in Chiang Mai, sparking formal inquiries and eventually the arrest warrant.
A Short Escape, Then a Longer Trail
Once the Chiang Mai warrant was issued in May 2023, Mr Kittisak reportedly fled the area and kept moving, attempting to evade capture by shifting his base to Kanchanaburi. But investigators didn’t lose the trail. Officers tracked his movements, confirmed his location and moved in to make the arrest. During questioning, Mr Kittisak admitted his involvement in the illegal lending operation and told police he had stopped the daily lending activities — though he remains in custody while the legal process continues.
Following his detention, the suspect was transferred to Mae Rim Police Station for further legal action. Local media outlet Khaosod reported details of the case, which is one of several recent probes into illegal lending networks across Thailand.
Why This Case Matters
Beyond the particulars of one arrest, the case highlights a broader problem: informal and unregulated lending operations that prey on people during hard times. Small, quick loans with steep daily repayments can trap borrowers in cycles of debt that are difficult to escape. Law enforcement’s focus on these networks reflects growing attention to consumer protection, financial crimes and community safety.
For victims, the arrest may bring a measure of relief — but it can’t instantly erase the stress, intimidation or financial harm caused by predatory lenders. Police say several victims came forward to report their losses and experiences, enabling investigators to piece together the scheme and press charges.
What Comes Next
With Mr Kittisak in custody and the case handed to Chiang Mai authorities, the legal process will now play out. Prosecutors will review evidence gathered during the investigation and move forward accordingly. Meanwhile, the CSD’s Division 5 and local police continue to pursue other leads related to illegal lending networks, part of a wider effort to disrupt operations that exploit vulnerable borrowers.
As this case shows, fleeing the scene is rarely a permanent solution for suspects who think they can outrun justice. Thanks to interprovincial cooperation and persistent detective work, officers were able to close a chapter on a long-running investigation — and give a voice to victims who demanded action.
If there’s any consolation for those affected, it’s that authorities are paying attention. Whether this arrest will spark more victims to step forward remains to be seen, but for now the nets have tightened and one more member of an illegal lending network is off the streets.
For ongoing coverage of this story and related developments in Thailand’s efforts against illegal lending, follow updates from local law enforcement briefings and trusted news outlets.
Good to see the police finally caught someone, but this feels like only the tip of the iceberg. These gangs ruin lives and then move on while victims suffer for years. I hope prosecutors push for full restitution, not just a quick headline.
Restitution is ideal, but in practice victims never get their money back. The legal system drags on and the accused use delays as tactics.
I know the system is slow, but public pressure can speed things up. If enough victims and NGOs keep this in the news, prosecutors might act faster.
Victims should stop taking these tiny loans then! If you borrow 5,000 and can’t pay, don’t borrow. Simple.
That’s easy to say when you have savings. Many borrowers are desperate, choosing a harmful short-term loan to keep a small business alive or feed a family.
Some people need better education about money, but predators still deserve jail. Blaming victims helps no one.
Police cooperation across provinces deserves praise, but why did it take two years? Could be lack of resources or worse, corruption. We need transparency about the investigation timeline.
Two years is not unusual when suspects relocate often. Tracking across provinces requires warrants, surveillance and coordination — bureaucracy slows things down.
I get procedures take time, but families reported being threatened. Speed matters when people’s safety is at risk.
Let’s not pretend bureaucracy is the only reason. Somebody probably helped him hide. Follow the money, always.
This article makes lending sound evil. Private lenders fill gaps banks won’t. If people don’t like the rates, don’t borrow.
Microcredit fills gaps, yes, but debt traps with daily usurious repayments are not market solutions — they are exploitation. Regulation exists to prevent harm.
Regulation kills flexibility though. Small lenders are nimble and help those who need cash fast.
Speed doesn’t justify predatory interest. Ethical microfinance balances access with fair terms and borrower protection.
Why criminalize small lending? If both parties agree, it’s voluntary. The market should decide interest rates, not bureaucrats.
Voluntary? Try telling that to someone being threatened by collectors every day. Consent under duress isn’t consent.
Threats are illegal and should be punished, agreed. But blanket bans can hurt people with no bank access.
Thailand has legal interest caps for a reason. Contracts above lawful limits are void and can carry criminal liability, regardless of mutual consent.
This case is a clear example of regulatory arbitrage and social vulnerability converging. Predatory daily repayment schemes create effective APRs that are astronomical and unsustainable. Policymakers should study why victims choose these lenders and expand safe credit channels.
Agreed. Data-driven interventions like targeted subsidies or community lending groups could reduce reliance on informal lenders.
Exactly — pilot programs with strict oversight and financial education can break cycles of dependency.
Or just arrest more people, problem solved. Easy.
I heard someone in my neighborhood paid daily collectors and cried. It’s scary. How do we protect people like that?
Community hotlines and local legal aid clinics help. Also, local leaders must encourage victims to report without fear.
I smell deeper networks. One arrest won’t stop organized lenders who have enforcers and financial routes. Follow the bank accounts and phone records.
Those leads are exactly what investigators are pursuing. Tracing transactions is harder with cash-based operations, but telephone metadata helps.
Then publish results. Citizens shouldn’t have to guess whether investigations reach the really big fish.
We publish when evidence is court-ready. Premature publicity can compromise ongoing probes.
Fair, but accountability must follow — arrests without transparency leave room for cover-ups.
People need moral guidance, not just police. We should teach youth budgeting and self-reliance so they never fall for these traps.
Education helps, but structural poverty pushes people toward harmful options. Moralizing the poor misses systemic causes.
Plot twist: He fled to Kanchanaburi for the river views and got nabbed during a peaceful afternoon. Drama aside, justice needs to be fair and quick.
From a legal standpoint, admission of involvement could simplify the prosecution, but confessions under duress are contested in court. Evidence chain and victim testimony will matter most. Transparency in the chain of custody will be critical for convictions.
Correct. Courts scrutinize whether confessions were voluntary. Proper procedure during arrest and interrogation protects convictions from appeal.
I hope investigators documented everything. Many cases collapse on technicalities despite solid facts.
So the system protects suspects more than victims sometimes. That’s frustrating.
As a neighbor of some victims, I’ve seen the fear when collectors knock. They prey on small shop owners and daily wage folks. The arrest gives us hope, but many still owe money.
Then start a community savings group. People in villages manage without being exploited.
We tried, but without capital and with emergencies, people still borrow. Community schemes help but can’t replace systemic lending access.
This makes me angry. Why are interest rates so hidden and brutal? We need tougher laws and enforcement to stop daily collections that feel like harassment.
Tougher laws help only when enforced. The gap is often political will and resources. Vote for leaders who prioritize consumer protection.