Thai whistleblowers file complaints to Big Joke about illegal Chinese associations

Illegal Chinese activities are once again causing a stir in Thailand.

A Thai whistleblower met with Thailand’s deputy police chief Gen Surachet “Big Joke” Hakparn yesterday to file a complaint against unlicensed Chinese associations for their suspected vested interest, Bangkok Post reported. The whistleblower, Withan Sukkan, is an interrogative director of the Department of Provincial Administration.

Withan said the director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration assigned him to file the complaints.

The associations include one in the name of Yu Xinqi, who was arrested for allegedly using his association and business school to illegally bring Chinese people into Thailand. One complaint concerned Yu’s alleged operation of an unlicensed association and input of false information into a computer system. Withan said there were many similar fake associations across Thailand, and registrars could revoke them.

Big Joke said Yu was blacklisted and would be deported. He noted that Yu faced charges of crimes involving computer systems, fundraising, and illegal association operation. Big Joke also said he received a lese majeste complaint against Yu from another whistleblower named Chuvit Kamolvisit. Chuvit said there were 500-600 associations in Kanchanaburi province alone. He said there was a proxy firm of Chinese lawyers on Rama IX Road, and an unlicensed association on Srivara Road.

Thai police have been cracking down on illegal Chinese activities in the country since late last year, and have busted a number of crooks.

On Friday, Thai cops busted a Chinese man in Bangkok over counterfeit electronics that cost over 20 million baht. Officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) found fake phones and electronic devices in a raid at a warehouse in the Don Mueang district.

The team searched three buildings and found Huang Yiqun, a 56 year old Chinese national, working as the warehouse caretaker and four Laotian workers.

Last week, Thai police swooped on yet another illegal Chinese business operation. Officers from the Consumer Protection Division (CPD) in Thailand conducted searches in two different locations in Prawet District in Bangkok and Samut Prakan province. They seized counterfeit cosmetics and low-quality medical supplies worth an estimated 14 million baht.