A German man arrested for reckless driving on Koh Phangan has been found to be on a criminal wanted list in his home country, police said.
Pol Lt Col Vinij Boonchit, chief of the Tourist Police on the island, said on Monday that Sukru Yusuf Onganer, 22, was detained at a motorcycle wash shop on Sunday for riding a bike without a licence plate and causing a public disturbance with excessive noise.
The arrest followed complaints from residents about his dangerous driving, prompting officers to track down the motorbike, which was later found being cleaned at the shop.
According to Pol Lt Col Vinij, police records revealed that Mr Onganer is wanted by German authorities on extortion charges, though details of the case and the date he entered Thailand remain unclear.
He has been charged with reckless driving at Koh Phangan police station — an offence punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to 20,000 baht.
Police have contacted German authorities regarding his extradition, the Tourist Police officer added.
Source: Bangkok Post