27.5.03 Manop Thip-osod

About 800 motorcycle taxi drivers rallied at Crime Suppression Division headquarters yesterday, calling on police to crack down on extortion gangs.

The protesters from six different sois on Lat Prao, Sukhumvit, Ramkhamhaeng and Bang Na roads claimed they were victims of extortion by motorcycle queue managers, who included soldiers and policemen.

The group said they were forced to pay as they feared for their lives.

The drivers from Bang Na said they turned to the CSD because local police had refused to assist them.

This group of 100 drivers from a motorcycle taxi centre in front of Central City Bang Na shopping mall had earlier yesterday lodged a complaint with the Royal Thai Police Office, claiming their request for registration was rejected by Bang Na district office on Friday.

One driver who requested anonymity said officials at Bang Na district office refused to process the motorcyclists' request for registration and told them to register with Chaiwat Amsakul, alias To Bang Na.

All were forced to sign documents promising to pay 4,000 baht as jacket rental fees each to Mr Chaiwat plus 40 baht daily fees for continuing to work the centre as before, he said.

Mr Chaiwat has been holding the position of Bang Na district's disaster relief volunteer chief.

In their complaint, the motorcyclists said they needed help from police and the governor of Bangkok because they were being spied on by aides of a powerful person and were at risk, even though their attempt to register with the district was in line with government policy.