THE Three Thai men wanted on charges of acting as nominees 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, have surrendered and are being questioned, Amarin TV, Naewna newspaper and TV Channel 7 said this evening (Apr. 21).
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) on Saturday.
After that the DSI team started searching for the three Thai shareholders, Mr. Prachuap Sirikhet, 53, Mr. Manas Srianan, 62, and Mr. Sophon Meechai,66, who together held 51% stake in CREC and upon finding out where they were hiding, they contacted to surrender.
Investigation revealed that the three of them, with Manas holding 0.0003% shares in this company, Prachuap 10.2% and Sophon 40.7997%, were in no position to operate large businesses nor did they have professional expertise in construction engineering.
Sophon had previously worked for Thai Glass Industry Co., Ltd. and resigned on September 9, 2014, and there was no record of working at any other company.
Prachuap and Manas had previously worked for Santiphap Import-Export Co., Ltd. Prachuap resigned on September 1, 2010, and Manas likewise did so on March 31, 2015.
This company is located in the same area as CREC and eight other companies where the three of them are directors.
Investigation revealed that all three are in fact employees of companies owned by Chinese people having worked for them as drivers and porters.
Despite this, the three Thai suspects have denied acting as nominees for the Chinese.
Meanwhile DSI contacted the embassy of the People’s Republic of China, and it was confirmed that Chuang is an employee of a state enterprise in their country.
Upon taking Chuang to court today to apply for initial 12-day detention because the first 48 hours of holding him for questioning had passed, DSI did not object to his being temporarily released. However, the court ordered his detention.
Later Chuang’s lawyer filed a petition backed with bail for his temporary release and this is being considered.
CAPTION:
Two of three Thai men facing charges acting as nominees, Mr. Prachuap Sirikhet, left, and Mr. Manas Srianan, right, upon surrendering to DSI. Photo: Amarin TV
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