Koh Samui appears to have a serious peace and order problem.

These days, local teenage gangs have become bolder and more brazen in committing crime and misdemeanor and engaging in illegal activities so much so they have turned into a serious threat not only on the peace and order on Koh Samui but to tourists and the tourism business on the island.

These youngsters, who probably began as mere nuisance in the community with their vandalism, graffiti, poking their curious noses on drugs, engaging in street fights and brawls, have since to have graduated from committing minor offenses to break ins in other people’s abode, snatchings valuable items on the street or even hold ups on unsuspecting residents and tourists.

Worse, they must have transformed into cold blooded killers having no second thoughts regarding pulling out guns and shooting without sense on other young people as was the case recently which resulted in the death of a 25 year old man and the injury of six others.

Initial reports indicate the group victimized by the brutality of the local teenage gang traveled all the way from Bangkok and joined by friends on Samui to have fun as a disco pub.

Witness accounts tell of a member of the gang of youngsters taking fancy on the women companions of the other group and when they were refused waited for their victims outside of the pub where after again rejected for acting rude, the brawl and fatal shooting followed.

A top police official has reportedly expressed shock over the incident and he is right in saying that such ruthless act was unacceptable and shows no respect for the law.

But more than expressing disbelief that it happened, the more urgent challenge for the police is to immediately put this growing menace in check before it gets worse or gets out of control.

That these wayward youngsters get easy access to guns or other dangerous weapons and can go around and use it with impunity pose a very serious threat to the peace and order situation on the island.

Another similar incident that occurred a few weeks back was about a group of drunken men who reportedly wanted to take out a waitress in a pub and when the owner of the pub tried to stop these men from abusing his employee, he was shot and killed.

Samui attracts attention as a prime tourist destination not only because of its being a tranquil place and fantastic scenery and surroundings.

Holiday goers prefer to come here because they see a quiet and secure place where they can enjoy their vacation without worrying an encounter with some thugs or gangsters who can inflict bodily harm.

The sooner the police keep these local teen age gangs out of the street the better it will be for the residents and tourists who count on them to make Samui a safe place to live and tourism business to prosper. By