Seventeen of the 129 criminals from Narathiwat, Thailand reportedly hiding in Malaysia are wanted by Thai authorities for security-related offences, according to a high-ranking Thai source.

The source, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Bernama that the 17 are wanted for, among others, alleged involvement in the armed conflict in the four southern Thailand provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla.

The southern Thailand conflict has claimed more than 6,500 lives since 2004.

“The 17 suspects in question carry 22 outstanding arrest warrants against them, all associated with security-related offences,” the source said.

The other 112 criminals are sought for involvement in less serious crimes such as failing to turn up for military conscription, drug abuse and petty offences, it said.

The source was responding to a recent Malaysian news article quoting Narathiwat police chief Dusadee Choosankij (photo) as claiming that 129 criminals from the province are currently hiding in Malaysia.

The police chief claimed that the criminals escaped to Malaysia through illegal routes along the Malaysia-Thailand common border.

Dusadee also said that his side has sought the cooperation of their Malaysian counterpart to track down the criminals.

Meanwhile, the high-ranking source told Bernama that information gathered from the families of the 129 criminals shows that the fugitives went to Malaysia in search of jobs.

“We (Narathiwat authorities) went to their residences and their family houses to look for them. 

"The families claimed the men have gone to Malaysia to work,” he said, adding that in total the 129 fugitives have 138 outstanding arrest warrants.

However, Thai authorities, according to the source, will continue with their investigation and efforts to arrest them.

The source also said that there is still a possibility that the wanted men are in hiding in Thailand.

It said it is unsure whether the authorities in Malaysia and Thailand have discussed the matter of the 129 criminals or if there were any exchanges of intelligence information about the fugitives.

The information it has about the 129 fugitives was mainly derived from intelligence gathered from the Narathiwat authorities for investigation purposes.

- Bernama