Udon Thani authorities have arrested the "Toh Pakin" loan shark gang who collectively beat a debtor, causing bleeding on his face. They cited anger over missed payments and the debtor's denial of knowing them. Ultimately, they raised their hands in apology, expressing remorse and forgiving the entire debt. They announced they will end their illegal lending business and pursue a new venture.
The case involves Mr. Natthaphat (surname withheld), 39, a convenience store employee from Nong Hai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Udon Thani Province. He was assaulted by an illegal loan shark gang, resulting in facial swelling and a bleeding nose. He fled on a motorcycle to the Mueang Udon Thani Police Station to seek help. The incident occurred on the morning of 8 July 2026 in front of Nong Hai Market, Nong Hai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Udon Thani, as previously reported.
Update on the case: At 10:30 a.m. on 9 July 2026, Police Lieutenant Colonel Pichet Pakketat, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, summoned Mr. Natthawut Thatthong, 29, known as Dream, from Song Phi Nong District, Suphanburi Province; Mr. Rewat Duangchuen, 39, known as Re, from Bueng Narang District, Phichit Province; and Mr. Chanachon Inmanee, 34, known as Jack, from Song Phi Nong District, Suphanburi Province. They are members of the "Toh Pakin" illegal loan shark gang and were brought in for questioning after assaulting Mr. Natthaphat, 39, from Nong Hai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Udon Thani, causing injury.
The three loan sharks stated they operated an illegal lending business in Udon Thani Province, each investing 30,000 to 40,000 baht, using the alias "Toh Pakin" to avoid police investigation. They had been active for about 3 to 4 months. The injured party worked at a convenience store and borrowed 8,000 baht from them, with a daily repayment of 400 baht for 24 days, totaling 9,600 baht. However, he paid only for 10 days—4,000 baht—and requested refinancing to pay off the old balance to get change. They agreed to refinance, but he paid only for 2 days before defaulting for about 2 to 3 months. They negotiated a new daily payment of 100 baht, which he agreed to, but ultimately failed to pay and avoided them during collections.
Before the incident, they had driven to Nong Hai village on business and encountered the injured party by chance on a village road near Nong Hai Market. They approached to collect the debt, but he denied knowing them. Angered, they each punched him once before fleeing in their vehicle.
“He borrowed 8,000 baht and hasn’t repaid a single baht, neither principal nor interest. When we went to collect the debt, he said, ‘Who are you? I don’t know you and didn’t borrow money.’ That made us angry, so Mr. Re and Mr. Dream each punched him once.”
“We regret using violence and apologize to the injured party. We will forgive the entire debt and cover his medical expenses. We also plan to end the illegal loan business and start a new legitimate business.” Afterwards, the three men raised their hands in apology to the injured party for their violent actions.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Pichet Pakketat, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, disclosed that the injured debtor was taken to hospital, where doctors advised him to stay for observation. If the injured party files a complaint at Huai Luang Sub-Police Station, the jurisdiction where the incident occurred, legal action will proceed for "assault causing injury" and "illegal lending with interest rates exceeding legal limits."
