Three arrested in Bangkok for 28 million baht tax evasion

Three company directors were arrested for tax evasion by issuing fake invoices and evading VAT, causing over 28 million baht in damages to the Revenue Department. The arrests, which took place yesterday, October 21, were conducted by the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD).

Police Major General Phutthidet Boonkrapue ordered the operation, with Police Colonel Chatchawan Chuchaiyarit, Police Lieutenant Colonel Watit Chitjantuek, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Vanichaya Chaiprun leading the execution.

The suspects, 68 year old Yupa, 50 year old Panjarat, and 45 year old Manatravee were apprehended outside their residences in Prawet and Yannawa districts in Bangkok.

The Revenue Department had previously filed a complaint with the ECD against a company and its former directors, i.e., the three suspects. Investigations revealed that between 2016 and 2022, the company submitted VAT returns (Form Por.Por. 30) showing unusually high sales and purchase amounts.

Subsequent inspections confirmed that the company did not operate any real business activities, with its registered location being an abandoned site with no structures. Registered as a trading company for all types of goods, it was evident that the company had no intention of conducting genuine business.

Moreover, the company failed to provide necessary documents for the Revenue Department’s review and was reported by various regional tax offices for using purchase invoices in VAT calculations without proper tax invoices or proof of tax payments.

Despite not operating any actual business, the company’s VAT returns were deemed inaccurate, indicating deliberate tax evasion. Evaluating the damages, including fines and surcharges from 49 notices, the total loss was estimated to be around 28 million baht.

After the investigation, ECD issued summonses to the three suspects, but none complied, leading authorities to believe they had fled. Consequently, arrest warrants were sought and granted by the court, resulting in the eventual capture of the suspects.

During questioning, all three denied the allegations, and they were handed over to the ECD investigators for further legal proceedings, reported KhaoSod.