Bangkok: "Chai???" has revealed suspicious activities involving a "nominee" in the laundering of billions of baht. The operation exposes Chinese capital infiltrating the Ratchada and Mengjai areas, utilizing entertainment venues and supermarkets as fronts. Evidence is being prepared for submission to the House Anti-Money Laundering Committee to urgently investigate the owner of a "horse stable," identified by the initials R.
According to Thai News Agency, Chaichana Dechdecho, MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat and Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party, announced that the party's volunteer lawyer clinic has received numerous complaints from the public. Many of these complaints provided crucial information about a transnational organized crime network. This network involves a Chinese-owned group engaged in illicit activities, reaping profits in Thailand.
Mr. Chaichana disclosed that a group of Chinese investors, connected to foreign fraudsters, is laundering money from illegal endeavors by establishing businesses in key economic areas of Bangkok, including Ratchadaphisek Road, Mengjai, and RCA. These businesses masquerade as upscale entertainment venues, KTVs, mala restaurants, and supermarkets selling Chinese goods.
The deputy leader of the Democrat Party highlighted irregularities in business registration, noting that the scheme involves hiring Thai nationals as "nominees" to hold shares on behalf of these Chinese investors. A review of financial statements revealed that reported income did not match the actual investment, which ranged from 30 to 100 million baht per establishment. Furthermore, some establishments operate illegally without licenses, stay open beyond permitted hours, and there are reports of them being used as drug dens.
Mr. Chaichana also unveiled a diagram of the criminal network, centering on a Thai national known by the initials "R," who acts as the "stable owner" or provider of nominees and proxy accounts for the Chinese investment group. This individual, previously convicted for illegally entering Cambodia in 2020, is currently hiding in Nonthaburi province. They possess substantial assets, including a luxury home valued at over 20 million baht and numerous cars registered under the names of relatives to avoid detection. "We cannot allow this shady business to destroy the economy and disrespect Thai law like this," Mr. Chaichana asserted.
It has been confirmed that all evidence and connections will be compiled and handed over to Mr. Pitakdet Detdecho, Chairman of the Committee on Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering and Narcotics. The intention is to coordinate with security agencies and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to investigate and completely dismantle this network.