DSI investigates MP Somchat over Phuket nominee allegations

Matichon•General•8d ago

Reader Briefing

Phuket MP Somchat Techathavorncharoen provided evidence to the DSI regarding allegations of acting as a nominee for foreign real estate holdings.

•MP Somchat Techathavorncharoen provided information as a witness to the DSI on September 28.
•The investigation concerns the holding of real estate and condominiums in Phuket province with foreigners.
•Somchat Techathavorncharoen admitted to owning a law firm that primarily serves as a legal consultant.
•DSI is examining whether the registration of companies was used to hold high-value assets without actual business operations.

•Somchat Techathavorncharoen entered information as a witness on September 28.
•Somchat Techathavorncharoen submitted documentary evidence regarding a law firm and provided company accounting and funding sources to investigators.
•Somchat Techathavorncharoen admitted to being the owner of the law firm in question.
•The DSI investigation team is currently reviewing all data to determine if the Director-General of the DSI will formally accept the matter as a special case.
•DSI is investigating if individuals or legal entities violated the Land Code or the Foreign Business Act 1999.
•DSI has previously found nearly 100 companies in Phuket province that potentially violated foreign business laws by using employees as nominee shareholders.
•DSI is monitoring changes in shareholder lists as a method to identify the sale of real estate that avoids land office registration and tax payments.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Somchat Techathavorncharoen(สมชาติ เตชถาวรเจริญ)

A Phuket MP from the People's Party and owner of a law firm who provided evidence as a witness to the DSI.

Department of Special Investigation(กรมสอบสวนคดีพิเศษ)ℹ️

The agency conducting the investigation into nominee real estate holdings in Phuket.

DSI

The abbreviation for the Department of Special Investigation.

People's Party(พรรคประชาชน)

The political party to which MP Somchat Techathavorncharoen belongs.

Bureau of Security Crimes(กองคดีความมั่นคง)

The division within the DSI whose investigation officers questioned Somchat Techathavorncharoen.

Phuket(ภูเก็ต)ℹ️

The province where the contested real estate holdings and the investigated companies are located.

Land Code(ประมวลกฎหมายที่ดิน)

The law used to determine if the actions of individuals or legal entities constitute a legal offense.

Foreign Business Act 1999(พ.ร.บ.การประกอบธุรกิจของคนต่างด้าว พ.ศ. 2542)

The legislation used to check for nominee business operations by foreigners.