Share recipient claims romantic ties with tycoon

The huge transfer of shares from Chuwong Saetang to golf caddie Kantana Siwathanapon had raised doubts because it took place just four days before his death.

The tycoon died in a crash on June 26, while the driver of the car escaped unscathed. 

“He wanted to familiarise me with stock trading,” Kantana reportedly told police. Her lawyer said she was now seven months pregnant and everyone should be able to guess the nature of her relationship with Chuwong. The couple reportedly met about two years ago. 

Police spokesman Lt-General Prawut Thavornsiri said Kantana, 26, insisted that the 50-year-old tycoon had willingly transferred the shares to her.

“Based on our preliminary investigation, she has not got any other assets from him,” he said. 

Pol Lt-Colonel Banyin Tangpakorn, a former deputy commerce minister and former MP, was driving the car in which Chuwong was killed. Banyin insisted the car crash was the cause of death. The two had played golf together and Banyin was giving Chuwong a ride home when the crash occurred, according to Banyin’s statement.

Chuwong’s family, however, raised doubts about his death in light of the fact that Banyin sustained no injuries and a huge volume of Chuwong’s shares were suspiciously transferred to two women just days before his death.

One of the recipients was Kantana, and the other is an older woman whose 25-year-old daughter was a broker for Chuwong. 

The daughter, Uracha Wachirakun-thon, and the mother are expected to report to police today. If they fail to show up, they will face arrest warrants.

Central Investigation Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Thitirat Nonghanpitak said police would get to the bottom of the mystery within two weeks.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul, meanwhile, said ongoing investigation still suggested that Chuwong had died because of the car crash. 

“To date, we have not found any evidence that suggests he might have been murdered,” he said.

He added that he had already instructed investigators to look into 22 additional points in the case in a bid to ensure a thorough investigation into the death.

Metropolitan Police Division 4 deputy chief Colonel Taweerat Sritawatpong said experts from Toyota service centre had examined Banyin’s Lexus and found that its original engine had been replaced. 

“This replacement may affect the airbag system,” Taweerat said.

National police chief General Somyot Poompanmuang said he had already instructed all relevant units to investigate the case carefully so as to clear any lingering doubts.

In response to a petition filed by Chuwong’s son, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has ordered Somyot to look into this case and ensure justice to all sides.