A loan shark who was captured on video bashing an elderly woman and her 10-month-old grandchild while he was collecting loan payments was arrested in Suphan Buri on Tuesday, police said.
Khomsan Suenak, 44, a native of Surat Thani, was apprehended by a team of police and soldiers who raided his house in tambon Sanamchai of Muang district, acting under martial law, Thai language media reported.
They also seized a Mercedes-Benz sports car, a Volvo sedan, 26 bank account books, two notebook computers, four pistol registration licences, and some loan documents.
The arrest was made after a video clip showing a loan shark physically attacking an elderly woman carrying her 10-month-grandson at a debtor’s house in Muang district on March 15 went viral. The woman is the wife of the debtor, who was not in the house at the time. She and her grandchild sustained injuries in the attack. The incident was videod by a passer-by.
Mr Khomsan told authorities that he runs a taxi business in Bangkok with at least 10 cabs available for drivers to rent. He started a money lending business five years ago, charging interest at 20 baht per 100 baht per day. He had many customers in Suphan Buri, the reports said.
On Sunday, he went to collect money from a borrower at his house in Song Phi Nong district, but the man was not there. He met the elderly woman there. The usurer claimed the old woman scolded him and a heated quarrel erupted, and he lost his temper and bashed her.
Pol Col Chairat Thippayachan, acting chief of Suphan Buri police, said the video posted on social media attracted police attention. They identified the assailant as Mr Khomsan and arrested him.
Police initially charged him with extortion. Investigators would also look into the matter of money lending at high interest rates and may press further charges against him.