THE director and owner of 49% stake in Chinese Railway Number 10 Engineering Group Company (CREC), which in turn holds 49% stake in a joint venture with Italian-Thai Development Plc to build the State Audit Building that collapsed during the massive March 28 earthquake was arrested at a Bangkok hotel this evening (Apr. 19), Amarin TV said.
Pol. Lt. Col. Yuthana Praedam, director-general of Department of Special Investigation (DSI), said a 36-person investigation team has been probing this company’s nominee structure with the first meeting held on Apr. 4.
Today after obtaining arrest warrants from the Criminal Court for Mr. Chuanling Zhang and three Thais who held shares in the Chinese company some of them went to a luxury hotel on Ratchadapisek road and arrested him on charges of violating Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999).
He had been staying at this hotel for around two days and was shocked at being arrested. As the police got ready to read the arrest warrant, he asked to wait for an interpreter who is also his lawyer.
He is to be taken to the DSI headquarters for questioning and recording his arrest. Police are still chasing the three Thai suspects.
Chuanling Zhang is the sole owner of maximum 49% stake foreign entities are allowed to hold in a Thai company with 51% being held by the three Thai suspects, namely Mr. Sophon Meechai with 40.7997%, Mr. Prachuap Siriket 10.2% and Mr. Manas Srianan 0.0003%.
Extensive investigation was made before applying to the court for the arrest warrants with the DSI team visiting the site of the building collapse, questioning relatives of the three Thai suspects and seizing documents from 24 shipping containers at the site’s car park.
They also searched the premises of four other companies namely Carhub Co., Ltd., PKW Joint Venture, W. and Friends Consultants Co., Ltd. and PN Synchronize Co., Ltd.
CAPTION:
Mr. Chuanling Zhang who was arrested today, April 19, 2025. Photo: Amarin TV
Also read: Collapsed State Audit Building had a 200-seat cinema?
Engineer says his signature was forged in collapsed building’s papers
No Songkran holiday for rescuers at collapsed building
DSI aiming to file steel and red dust case against supplier to collapsed building
Analysis: Thaksin stuck in cul-de-sac steering Pheu Thai-led govt
Civil servant sets self on fire over loan shark debts
