4 Turks held for running paragliding, parasailing service
KOH Samui police arrested 4 Turkish men for offering paragliding and parasailing service at Lamai beach on Koh Samui after tourists and locals filed a complaint, the Thai-language daily Matichon reported today (April 7).
At 8.30 a.m. this morning Pol Col Thongchai Wilaipornhom, head of Tourist Police on the island, sent a team to investigate after getting a complaint that parasailing and paragliding was taking place near and on the beach which could endanger other people there.
A videotape was also submitted showing a paraglider coming down on the beach and almost hitting tourists sunning themselves there.
Arrested were Cenk Kuru, Erdogan Sansli, Necdet Kara and Aziz Alkan who are all from Turkey.
They admitted that they were parasailing and paragliding on the beach and charging 4,000 baht a ride.
Police checked their work permits but this showed a different purpose while they did not have a license for the boat they used nor a boat driving license.
Police seized the boat and all their equipment as evidence and are now proceeding with legal action against the 4 suspects.
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Top: Paragliding at Lamai beach on Koh Samui. Photo: Matichon
In-text: The 4 Turkish men who were arrested on Koh Samui being questioned at the police station. Photo: Matichon