DSI may probe Democrat ex-MP’s mother
AUTHORITIES are considering action against the mother of a former Democrat MP for alleged money laundering.
An informed source at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) revealed this week that former MP Attawit Suwanpakdee and his relatives allegedly received 100 land plots from his mother, Pakinee Suwanpakdee, who is on the run after she and alleged accomplices were accused of embezzling Bt5 billion from the First Bangkok City Bank.
Several top executives of the bank, where Pakinee previously worked, were each sentenced to 20 years in jail for the embezzlement.
“The DSI has advised the Anti-Money Laundering Office [AMLO] to lodge a complaint with the police’s Economic Crime Suppression Division,” the source said.
According to the source, former Democrat MP Watchara Phetthong has petitioned AMLO to take action against wrongdoers in this case. AMLO, therefore, had sought the DSI’s advice on Wednesday about pursuing the case. “The land transfers took place on November 14, 2003,” the source continued, “Given that the statute of limitations for such cases is 15 years, the authorities will have to quickly work on the case before it expires on November 14 this year”.
Earlier, AMLO resolved to seize 22 assets of Pakinee. These assets were land plots and buildings in Bangkok’s Chatuchak and Lat Phrao districts, as well as in the Chachoengsao province. They were worth more than Bt300 million. The seizure order was issued under the anti-money laundering law. The source said the DSI would ask its board to consider taking this case as a special case.
“If the board approves, the DSI will be able to take over the case,” the source added.