Couple arrested for fraud

PHUKET TOWN: Police on Monday arrested the son of a prominent Phuket businessman, along with his wife, on charges of fraud. Thiti “Kob” Tandavanitj, 31, and his wife Sukannikar, 24, were arrested at K-House on Phang-nga Rd after a complaint was laid by 22 employees of the couple’s website design company, Data Info Co Ltd. The employees alleged that the couple had cheated them of their salaries and of a “guarantee” that they were required to pay when applying for a job with the company. The complaint alleged that the Tandavanitjs set up Data Info in Vanich Plaza on Luang Por Wat Chalong Rd as a scam. People applying for jobs were required to post a guarantee of anything from 3,000 to 30,000 baht, depending on the position they applied for. The complainants said that after they had worked there for a month, they received no pay. Finally, when they arrived for work one day soon after that, they found the office closed. Police investigated and found that Data Info Co was not registered with the Commercial Registration Office. Pol Col Paween Pongsirin, Superintendent of Phuket Town Police Station, said that when police went to arrest the suspects, Thiti tried to commit suicide by swallowing washing powder. Police rushed him to Wachira hospital, where doctors were able to save his life. “Thiti, has admitted the offense and has agreed to pay all the money owed,” said Col Paween. “However, since this is a criminal charge, they will still have to go before the court.” Pol Col Paween also urged anyone else who may have been cheated by the couple to come forward.