Banyin, share recipients face arrest

The Nation learned that Banyin will meet the police this morning to fight the allegations.

Arrest warrants were also issued for the two share recipients. Brokerage-firm employee Uracha Wachirakun-thon, who received more than Bt30 million worth of shares via her mother Srithara Promma’s account, is facing charges of theft and forgery. Srithara, meanwhile, faces the charge of theft or taking stolen items into possession.

Former “pretty” presenter Kantana Siwathanapon, who received Bt228 million worth of shares, is facing charges of theft, forgery and taking stolen items into possession. 

 Chuwong Saetang, 50, was killed in a car crash under suspicious circumstances in late June. Banyin was driving the car. Chuwong’s relatives called for an investigation into his death, pointing out certain factors, including the share transfers made just days before his death. 

Pol Maj-General Akaradech Pimolsri, commander of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), said investigators had gathered sufficient evidence against the four suspects before applying for the arrest warrants. 

As for a separate probe into Chuwong’s death, he said that if city police suspected foul play or murder, the CSD would take over the case. 

Police spokesman Lt-General Prawut Thavornsiri concurred that the warrants had been issued because the four clearly knew about the share transfer and that forensic tests showed that the documents had been altered. He said the form was originally meant for a share transfer as a deposit for other share purchases, but had been altered. Also, the message on a copy of Chuwong’s identity card guaranteeing only the share deposit had been erased. 

Prawut also said police had no evidence suggesting that Chuwong was aware of this share transfer. He said the billionaire’s relatives also insisted that the voice on the audio clip wasn’t Chuwong’s and that the incoming call number also wasn’t his. 

Prawut said more arrest warrants might be issued as the case proceeds. 

Meanwhile, Kantana’s lawyer Seksan Senachu insisted that his client had not fled after learning of the arrest warrant, adding that he would escort her to the CSD office to fight the allegation once he could contact her. He added that he was preparing to apply for bail. Uracha and Srithara could not be reached as of press time.