The A- family of Petchburi, Petchburi is notorious as the gunman capital of Thailand. In terms of crime statistics it ranks third (behind Chonburi and Nakhon Sithammarat) , and less than 50 per cent of reported crimes lead to convictions. Murders are common and the province is reputed to have the highest concentration of guns for hire. At one time it was said that anyone wanting to have someone eliminated would not be disappointed if he contracted a Petchburi gunman.32 It was also alleged that during the 1970s and the 1980a at least a hundred novice gunmen associated with one of the leading Jao pho had been liquidated by the police.33
Pelchburi s violent reputation stems from the business opportunities offered by the province s location. Petchburi is a coastal province 150 kms from Bangkok on the southern peninsula. Its fishing port is an ideal location for coastal smuggling. Its forested hills contain several tracks leading into Burma. The province s jao pho have many opportunities for smuggling imported goods destined for Bangkok , for bringing illegal timber from Burma, and for trading in other illegal items.