Crime
American Fugitive in Phuket Faces Deportation
Michael Anthony Matos, 46, accused in California of possession of drugs and sexual assaul
CHIANGRAI TIMES– An American man working in time share is on his way to Bangkok today in a police truck after being arrested in Phuket on an international warrant.
Michael Anthony Matos, 46, accused in California of possession of drugs and sexual assault, was arrested at 6pm on Friday in Nanai Road, Patong.
He arrived in Thailand in August 2010 and his three-month visa was never renewed, Immigration officers said. His passport expired last year and he had no work permit.
British bail jumper Lee Pipe is arrested in Patong
Mr Matos appeared in Phuket Provincial Court yesterday and was fined 1800 baht for his visa and work offences. Today Immigration officials picked him up on Phuket for transfer to Bangkok then California.
In a separate case, Lee Pipe, 44, from Britain was arrested at 4.20am on Friday as he sat having a beer in Soi Happy Road, off Soi Bangla in Patong.
Mr Pipe was granted bail on January 12 last year but failed to appear in court on March 10 to answer a charge of possession of a quantity of ya bah methamphetamine.
An arrest warrant was issued and Mr Piper was picked up on Friday.
