SONGKHLA – Money-laundering investigators raided the local office of foreign-operated MBI Group, seizing about 83 million baht in cash from a company-owned hotel.
Department of Special Investigation officers, soldiers and provincial Land Department and Commerce Ministry officials searched MBI office as part of a continuing investigation into illegal business operations. In a room at The Wai Hotel adjacent to the firm's office they found the equivalent of 83 million baht in various currencies.
The money was confiscated so DSI and the Anti-Money Laundering Office investigators can trace its origins. They also will review MBI's financial transactions and documents covering the establishment of group companies.
The group operates businesses with about 2 billion baht in capital, including six hotels, two resorts, nine apartments, an Asean cultural village, and several theme parks.
The firm is run by a Malaysian managing director and with Thais Nanthaphak Panuwatnakul and Nopparote Siripattanaphak serving as directors.
A source on the inquiry team said MBI operates the KPK Hotel, which may not have been investigated because it is popular with senior Songkhla province officials. The source also alleged MBI's entertainment venues had violated the operating hours laws and other regulations.
Authorities began monitoring MBI after some suspicious land purchases and establishment of suspect businesses, investigators said.
The source alleged the group also may be involved with the shooting of a Malaysian businessman killed dead in Hat Yai district two months ago. The group purchased several land plots from the victim, earlier was an MBI director.