Bt50m in assets seized from tour group in alleged scam

DSI chief Pol Colonel Paisit Wongmuang said yesterday that 100 people – many of them doctors – had allegedly been lured into investing Bt250 million into the Nice Day Travel Co’s group-tour business operated under executives Parinya Burassakan and public hospital physician Dr Jiratha Thonglua.
Special Case Office 1 head Pol Lt Colonel Phayao Thongsen said the suspects allegedly lured former schoolmates and doctors to join the scam while they also joined with Parinya's cousin Apiwat Akaradech to encourage many to invest in drinking water and souvenir dolls to sell to foreign tourists. 
The DSI searched two target locations in Bangkok's Chom Thong district – a house that was used as the company’s office and another Bt30 million home in Chom Thong that Parinya bought. 
Besides impounding the two houses, officials seized three cars, seven motorcycles, and Bt6 million cash that Parinya placed as a down payment on a Lamborghini. 
Phayao urged more victims to come forward and file complaints at the DSI or the Economic Crime Suppression Division. 
Phayao said investigators would soon apply for an arrest warrant for Jiratha, who apparently has continued to work at the hospital. Parinya had already surrendered to police and claimed he was duped by Apiwat, who also had a doctor wife and had some business collaborations with Parinya.