Thailand Announces Crackdown on Foreign Mafia Following Shooting at Bar

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has charged the authorities of the Thai southern Surat Thani Province with stamping out foreign mafia following a shooting at a bar, local media reported Monday.

BANGKOK (Sputnik) – On Tuesday, three Thai nationals and a Russian citizen fired five gunshots at a bar on the southeastern Thai Ko Pha Ngan island in Surat Thani. The attack was reportedly intended to threaten the bar's owners. No victims have been reported.

"We have to get tough on these people, or they may damage our tourism and even national security," Surat Thani governor Wongsiri Phromchana said, as quoted by the Bangkok Post newspaper.

Two province's resort islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui are of particular concern for the local authorities, as popular tourist sights. The two islands host a popular Full Moon Festival.

According to Wongsiri, the local authorities will inspect the legality of business on the islands, focusing on foreigners working illegally and drug-related crimes.