Justice Minister Unveils Evidence from Raids in Forex Case, Summons Pawut for Questioning

Bangkok: Justice Minister Police Lieutenant General Ruttapol Nawarat has announced that raids conducted on 24 locations as part of the ongoing Forex case investigation have yielded substantial evidence. The minister confirmed that Pawut Pongwitthayaphanu, a Member of Parliament from the People's Party, will be summoned for questioning on July 2nd.

According to Thai News Agency, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has classified the Forex case as a special case, prompting expedited investigative efforts. Despite the urgency, the complexity of the case, involving between 60,000 to 70,000 financial transactions, necessitates careful analysis of the evidence collected during the June 16th raids. The substantial evidence includes documents and computer files, leading to the formation of a new working group with increased staff to prevent delays. The public will receive updates on the progress every 15 days.

Pol. Gen. Ruttapol clarified that summonses have been issued to multiple individuals, including Mr. Pawut, who will clarify his involvement on July 2nd. He noted that individuals are welcome to meet with investigators as soon as they are ready. The court will determine whether a promotional video related to the case constitutes trading or solicitation. Collaboration between the DSI, the Bank of Thailand (BOT), and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) is ongoing, although tracing the money trail has not yet begun due to the volume of transactions.

When asked about rumors of Mr. Pawut's potential resignation and its impact on the investigation, Pol. Gen. Ruttapol stated that he was unaware of any resignation. He emphasized that the investigation's speed will rely on standard procedures by the DSI, AMLO, and BOT. Regarding a broker's legal claims contrary to the BOT's stance, he mentioned that QRS Global had provided clarification, and the DSI is considering all sides of the issue. The investigation has uncovered new details and identified involved parties, with social media mentions adding further context. Pol. Gen. Ruttapol plans to address these matters during a live session in the House of Representatives, providing detailed explanations.