Ranong: Daughter of prominent village headman denies money laundering charges
The daughter of a well-known village headman from Ranong turned herself in to the police yesterday, denying allegations of money laundering and involvement in a drug trafficking network. The woman is also suspected of smuggling vehicles and illegal rubber across the border.
The initial investigation took place at the Ranong Provincial Police Operation Center, led by Deputy Provincial Police Commander, Theeraphan Balathip. The village headman’s 29 year old daughter Naphasorn (surname withheld) continued to deny all charges, stating that the evidence of money transfers between her and previously arrested offenders were mere loans and borrowings.
After the preliminary interrogation, she was taken into custody at the Ranong Provincial Court. Her lawyer and relatives bailed her out with 200,000 baht. The court released her temporarily but strictly forbade her from interfering with the witnesses in the case.
Earlier at 11.15am, Naphasorn, daughter of a prominent village headman from Kra Buri District, was brought in for further questioning at the Ranong Provincial Police Station. She was accompanied by her sister and lawyer.
Naphasorn is one of the four individuals issued arrest warrants by the Ranong Provincial Court on charges of money laundering and support of money laundering. The suspects are believed to be part of a drug trafficking network involved in smuggling vehicles outside the kingdom without customs clearance and importing illegal rubber. This network, involved in seven major cases, has 65 individuals implicated, more than 50 of whom have been arrested. The seized assets under investigation exceed 295 million baht.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Cherdphong Chiu Preecha reported that they received information from Police Captain Preecha Kramateng, the Inspector of La-un Police Station, about Naphasorn’s surrender at the La-un Police Station in Ranong that morning.
In related news, the Central Customs Authority in Germany reported the arrest of a Thai woman at Frankfurt Airport on suspicion of money laundering. The woman is still being questioned by German authorities. Read more about this story HERE.
