Probe into tycoon's death goes deeper

METROPOLITAN POLICE chief Pol Lt-General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul yesterday ordered that the investigation into the death of a billionaire focus on 10 additional points because of suspicion of foul play.
“These points are very technical, like if his neck was broken, what would the scope of internal bleeding be. We will consult experts,” Srivara said.
Chuwong Saetang, a construction tycoon, was found dead inside a car on June 26 in what the driver, Pol Lt-Colonel Banyin Tangpakorn, a former deputy commerce minister, claimed was a road accident.
However, doubts remain in light of the fact that Banyin survived the “accident” without any injuries and that a large number of Chuwong’s shares were suspiciously transferred to two women just days before his death.
Lawyer Anek Khamchum, who represents Chuwong’s family, said yesterday that the relatives insisted the signatures on some of the transfer documents were clearly forged.
“We will ask the police to find out who forged it,” Anek said.
Chuwong’s son also petitioned Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha for help on Thursday via the government’s complaint centre.
In response, Prayut has instructed national police chief General Somyot Poompanmuang to clear any lingering doubts and ensure justice to all sides.
“I have instructed Srivara to set up a special team to handle this case,” Somyot said yesterday, adding that the Metropolitan Police chief had promised to check the investigation report himself.
Somyot said he had also instructed Crime Suppression Division acting chief Pol Colonel Akaradej Pimonsri to study the case as Akaradej has also received a complaint from Chuwong’s family about the alleged irregularities in the share transfer.
Police have not identified the recipients of the shares by name.
A source, however, disclosed that one of them worked at a golf club that Chuwong frequented, and that she had changed her name several times.
“Police are preparing to summon her,” the source said.
Both Chuwong and Banyin had visited the golf club on the day of the so-called accident.
After Chuwong’s family went public with their doubts, Banyin met Somyot on Thursday to plead his innocence.
“Don’t think that police will favour a person with police background. We are going to solve this case based on evidence,” Somyot told the media yesterday.
The police chief also dismissed speculation that Chuwong had been killed elsewhere before his body was placed in the car to look like he died in an accident.
“No scientific information has suggested this to date,” Somyot said.