THE DIRECTOR and owner of 49% stake in Chinese Railway Number 10 Engineering Group Company (CREC), which partnered Italian-Thai Development Plc in a joint venture to build the State Audit Building that collapsed during the massive March 28 earthquake has denied all charges on using Thai nominees to hold remaining shares in the company during over 10 hours of questioning, TV Channel 7, Naewna newspaper and MNG Online said this evening (Apr. 20).
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) had arrested the CREC director and holder of maximum 49% stake foreign entities are allowed in Thailand, Mr. Chuang Ling Zhang, at a luxury hotel on Ratchadapisek road on charges of violating Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) yesterday.
Three Thai nominees in the case, Mr. Sophon Meechai with 40.7997% stake, Mr. Prachuap Siriket 10.2% and Mr. Manas Srianan 0.0003% are making moves in Thailand but have coordinated to surrender.
Pol. Lt. Col. Woranan Srilam, DSI’s spokesperson, said the suspect, who asked to communicate via his lawyer and translator, denied all charges insisting that he did not let anyone hold shares on his behalf.
He also explained that he was a representative of a state enterprise in China, which invested here on behalf of the Chinese government.
He added that he was just an executive sent here to manage the company in Thailand.
Even so, investigation revealed that the first director of CREC was not Chuang, but “Mr. Dong Xia”.
Regarding Mr. Bin Ling Wu, who is classified as a construction contractor and someone involved in the construction of the new State Audit building, Chuang admitted knowing him.
However he explained that their status differed with the latter not being a representative of the Chinese government or state enterprise.
Investigation revealed that Bin had invested in several companies with the same Thai directors.
The suspect had last night asked to rest due to stress and fatigue, before questioning continued in the morning.
As for bail, the investigation team has not yet granted it because they are still questioning the suspect. It is believed that the interrogation will continue until it is complete and he will be taken to court for initial 12-day detention after 48 hours has lapsed.
The DSI team is still trying to get answers to many issues including the construction contract, the purchase of construction materials and equipment, as well as the drafting process and construction supervision in addition to the nominee and bid collusion charges.
CAPTION:
Mr. Chuang Ling Zhang being taken to the DSI headquarters from a luxury hotel on Ratchadapisek road yesterday, April 19, 2025. Photos: Naewna
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