Chao pho

Chao pho (Thai: เจ้าพ่อ, “godfather”) is a term used in Thailand to describe Thai organised crime groups.

Meaning of the term

Chao pho or jao poh literally means “godfather.” Chao pho, mostly based in the provinces, have business interests in both legitimate and criminal activities. Moreover, they have groups of associates and followers, move closely with powerful bureaucrats, policemen and military figures, sit in positions in local administration, and play a key role in parliamentary elections.[1] Chao pho are mostly of Chinese ethnicity.

Activities

According to Thai authorities, there are chao pho groups in 39 of Thailand's 77 provinces. From these provinces they work like a local mafia as they are active in both illegal as well as some legitimate businesses. They are involved in a wide range of criminal activities such as prostitution, drug trafficking, illegal gambling and others. They are known for cooperating with the Red Wa (who are associated with the United Wa State Army) for the trafficking and sale of narcotics.[2]

gollark: That is worrying, actually - could you launch a fake nuke to set off nuclear war without having to actually do nuclear refining stuff?
gollark: BIG GRAVITY is suppressing knowledge of antigravity, since they want to keep you DOWNWARD and WITHIN GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS.
gollark: He can't restrict Derp, then people would know he worked for BIG GRAVITY.
gollark: Yesterday I was going somewhere by train and the train was an entire 9 minutes late.
gollark: It's just a coincidence of timing, but a funny one.

See also

References
  1. https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/213310.pdf
  2. https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/213310.pdf
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