Ex-Thai Farmers Association president dies after 15m baht scam

The former President of the Thai Farmers Association passed away after being duped into mortgaging and selling his home for 15 million baht, leaving him destitute. His son, Nattapong, was heartbroken as he arrived too late to see his father one last time and has now brought his father’s body back to Sai Noi, Nonthaburi for religious rites.

Reports confirm that at 7pm yesterday, September 15, 37 year old Nattapong Boonchoey retrieved the body of his father, Prasit Boonchoey, from a senior care centre in Phra Phutthabat district, Saraburi province. Prasit had been staying at the centre since the beginning of the year.

Earlier in the day, Prasit passed away while recovering at the facility after being financially abandoned by a close female acquaintance who had left him there. Despite having mortgaged and sold his home, Prasit was left with no possessions, and debts accumulated for his care at the centre, which had previously made headlines.

Nattapong, along with relatives, brought Prasit’s body to Wat Sai Yai in Sai Noi district, Nonthaburi, where funeral and religious ceremonies will be held. Prasit’s tragic end was marked by rituals including a water-pouring ceremony and the recitation of Abhidhamma prayers.

Prasit was deceived by a new partner who led him into mortgaging and selling his home, resulting in the house being seized and Prasit being left destitute. Nattapong disclosed that he had planned to visit his father at Saraburi Hospital earlier that morning.

However, upon arriving, he found that his father had already passed away. Despite his efforts, he was unable to see his father alive one last time. Upon touching his father’s body, Nattapong noted that it was still warm, indicating that Prasit had died peacefully not long before his arrival. The family then decided to take Prasit’s body back home to Sai Noi for religious rites.

Mortgaged land

Previously, Prasit and his wife, Kornnisa Boonchoey, had legally mortgaged their land and house, encompassing five plots totalling 380 square wah (approximately 1,520 square meters) in Sai Noi district, Nonthaburi. On May 17, 2022, they entered into a sale contract with an investor, receiving 15.5 million baht.

Additionally, there was a loan agreement for another 4.9 million baht. However, the former Thai Farmers Association president did not redeem the property as per the contract, resulting in the house and land being transferred to the investor, who then listed it for sale. This led Nattapong to question the mortgage and sale process, which subsequently became a widely reported issue.

Nattapong’s suspicions about the mortgage and sale of the land and house brought significant media attention to the case. He raised concerns about the fingerprints and signatures involved in the transaction, suggesting potential irregularities.

The family’s plight highlighted the vulnerability of the elderly to financial exploitation and the severe consequences that can arise from such deceit, reported KhaoSod.