FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Police raid targets false Thai identity

Police raid targets false Thai identity

TOURIST POLICE yesterday raided Sin Yaun Travel offices in Bangkok’s Huai Kwang district over an accusation it was established by a Chinese man using a Thai national identity card.

Tourist Police chief Pol Maj-General Surechet Hakpan and other officials searched the office following the arrest of an unidentified 57-year-old Chinese man, Thai national Thawal Jaemchokchai and two foreign tour guides of the Ratchathewee-based Fuan Travel office. 
The Chinese man allegedly used the identity of a deceased Thai national named Somkiat Khongcharoen to open Fuan Travel and also held a position as a major shareholding director of Sin Yuan Travel, which was opened last year. 
Surechet said the Commerce Ministry rules preclude a foreigner from holding more than a 50-per-cent share in a company so the man’s practices were illegal. The Anti-Money Laundering Office will investigate the company’s assets as well as its tax payments. 
Surachet said Thawal allegedly aided other foreigners to assume Thai identities, reportedly including a Chinese suspect in the alleged pyramid scheme involving the company UFUN. Surachet said the illegal tour companies reportedly received up to 20,000 tourists a day and did not contribute any income to the country’s coffers. 
Tourism Department deputy chief Sutham Dechdi said his office would investigate Sin Yuan’s tourist operation licence. 
 
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