Prosecutors indict six over Somdej Chuang's vintage Mercedes
Public prosecutors yesterday indicted three companies in the private sector for allegedly playing a role in importing a vintage Mercedes Benz that was once registered under the name of acting Supreme Patriarch Somdej Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn (Somdej Chuang).
The companies face charges for document forgery and tax evasion among others, Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) spokesman Lieutenant Somnuk Siangkong said.
The Criminal Court will hear testimonies today, he added.
However, Wat Paknam Phasicharoen’s assistant abbot Phra Maha Satsanamunee, aka Luang Pee Pae, was not indicted as there is no evidence suggesting that he had a hand in the alleged tax evasion, while the charge of him possessing a vehicle for which tax has not been fully paid was invalid. Somneuk said the prosecutors’ decision to not indict the monk will be sent for Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief’s consideration. If the DSI chief objects, the order will be returned to the OAG.
Six people facing indictment include garage owner Pichai Veerasitkul; CT Auto Part Ltd Partnership; CT Auto Ltd Partnership executive Vasu Chittipattanakulchai; Odd 89 Enterprise Ltd Partnership executive Kasem Pawangkanan as well as Methanan Nitithitiwong and Somnuek Boonparapai. While the last three defendants were booked yesterday, the former three postponed their booking for indictment to February 10 as they were still gathering funds for bail and their lawyers.