AMLO to seize B4bn in assets from former co-op chief

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: THE former chairman of the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative allegedly embezzled nearly 12 billion baht from its coffers and will have a large number of assets worth almost 4bn baht seized, the secretary-general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office, Seehanart Prayoonrat, has announced,

Most of the money had allegedly been handed to Supachai Srisupa-aksorn through 878 bank transactions and cheques that police and the AMLO detected, he said.

Fifteen of the cheques involving transactions of 714 million baht in total were allegedly cashed by Wat Phra Dhammakaya, which is reportedly in the process of returning the money to the cooperative, a source said.

The AMLO is not authorized to seize the 714mn baht directly because the assets of Buddhist temples or monasteries are regarded as state property.

“If the temple doesn’t voluntary return of the money, the cooperative is entitled to demand it through civil lawsuits,” the source added.

At a press conference, Seehanart alleged that Supachai initially transferred SW Holding Group stock worth 1.1bn baht to Sataporn Watthanasirinukool in September 2012 before transferring U Channel 555 Co (now ThaiUTV Co Ltd) stock worth 4.1mn baht to Chayada Worrawiriyachat in July 2013.

Seehanart also alleged that Supachai transferred U Buy stock worth 105mn baht to Chayada in July 2012, with Chayada transferring half the stock to Phimnaphas Pattamasang in April last year, while there was another transfer related to the sale of Blue Sky Co stock worth 2.5mn baht in June 2013.

Supachai deposited 2.56bn baht in joint bank accounts belonging to Watchanon Nawaissararak and Jiradej Worraphiankul, he alleged.

The AMLO earlier announced the seizure of more than 1.2bn baht in assets linked to four companies founded by Supachai, Watchanon and Jiradej, he said.

— Phuket Gazette Editors