Bangkok: A key witness revealed critical information in the case involving lawyer Tum, shedding light on the online lottery application and the matter of 71 million baht. During a three-hour press conference, two confidential witnesses were introduced for the first time. The Baan Phra Athit team is preparing to file a motion to revoke lawyer Tum's bail.
According to Thai News Agency, the press conference was led by Professor Panthep Puapongsak, President of the Guardians of the Land Foundation, alongside Ms. Atchara Saengkhao (Lawyer Pui), Mr. Khemwat (Peter), a programmer and owner of a software development company, and Ms. Pojaman Bualas (Mee), Peter's wife and a key witness. The Criminal Court had sentenced Mr. Sittha Biabangkerd (Lawyer Tum) to imprisonment. Allegations include collusion in bidding for projects at Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) and related accusations. Peter and Mee revealed themselves publicly for the first time, explaining their prior absence was due to witness protection. They presented evidence, including private and group chat messages on LINE, used for project discussions, and audio recordings of conversations between Mee and Lawyer Tum.
Peter explained his involvement with lawyer Tum and P'Aoy arose from his application development business. He developed the "Nakee" online lottery application over the course of a year, costing 16-20 million baht. Concerned about legal issues, he consulted lawyer Tum about the project and potential investors.
According to lawyer Tum, a quotation for the application amounting to 2 million euros, or roughly 71 million baht, was advised to be prepared for P' Aoy. Peter and his wife claimed they never met P' Aoy directly, with all dealings managed through lawyer Tum. They revealed LINE conversations where they questioned if P' Aoy believed the application was real, to which lawyer Tum affirmed. Despite drafting a contract, they never received a signed copy from P' Aoy. Suspicions arose when lawyer Tum requested original, editable files.
They were informed that 71 million baht would be transferred to the company's account, but no funds were received. It was later discovered that the money had been transferred to lawyer Tum's personal account. They filed a police report at Kaeng Khoi Police Station in Saraburi Province, documenting the non-payment. Peter claimed that lawyer Tum sent a different version of the application for delivery to Ms. Aoy, but he refused, unsure if this caused dissatisfaction. An audio recording of a phone conversation between lawyer Tum and Mee was played during the explanation.
Following the application's failure, lawyer Tum suggested another project, a hotel construction for Ms. Aoy, valued at 154 million baht. A 9 million baht design fee was transferred and later withdrawn as cash on lawyer Tum's instructions, delivered to the Samut Sakhon Provincial Court, with evidence recorded.
Peter revealed that regarding the 1 million baht given to lawyer Tum's wife, the remaining money was kept at lawyer Tum's residence. On January 8, 2024, P' Aoy terminated the construction contract, leading Peter to consult lawyer Tum, who advised suing P' Aoy and sharing profits. Peter refused. Mee clarified her advisory role in a 39 million baht case with Nu and Sa, explaining bank procedures and denying direct transaction involvement. Regarding AOT project bid collusion allegations, both Peter and Mee stated they never received AOT projects, participating in normal e-bidding and joint ventures where they had expertise.
On receiving 1 million baht in cash from "P' Aoy" and a 2.7 million baht payment for testifying, they insisted it was income from selling piles and construction materials for a canceled hotel project. Concerning links to a former Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, they admitted knowing him through their processed fruit export business but denied receiving work or involvement in alleged bid rigging.
Regarding a lawsuit concerning a digital coin project, both clarified it is a legitimate online game and digital asset project. Mr. Sitra invested as a shareholder and was expected to receive returns. He also served as a brand ambassador, making it a business dispute rather than a criminal case as alleged. Allegations implicating individuals at Baan Phra Athit included a former National Police Chief and a former Deputy National Police Chief. Ms. Pojaman met the former Police Chief by chance, describing the encounter as casual, with no legal discussion. She denied meeting the former Deputy National Police Chief. She emphasized her life, family, and career impact due to the cases, wishing to avoid prolonged conflicts and return to normalcy.
Lawyer Pui disclosed the legal team is compiling interviews of lawyer Tum to file a petition to revoke his bail and gather evidence for further legal action if he continues implicating individuals at Baan Phra Athit or related parties, potentially causing damage. They will request he serve his sentence in addition to the Nakhon Phanom Provincial Court case.