Billionaire death probe gets deadline

Billionaire death probe gets deadline

At the centre of the Chuwong probe is ex-commerce minister Banyin Tangpakorn, seen here talking to media immediately after the allegedly fatal crash, in which he was driving. (Bangkok Post file photos)
At the centre of the Chuwong probe is ex-commerce minister Banyin Tangpakorn, seen here talking to media immediately after the allegedly fatal crash, in which he was driving. (Bangkok Post file photos)

Police have set a mid-July deadline to wrap up investigations into the controversial death of billionaire businessman Chuwong Sae Tang, denying complaints by the victim's family over a lack of progress.

Acting Crime Suppression Division (CSD) chief Charn Wimolsri on Sunday denied officers had dragged their feet but admitted the need to collect additional evidence takes time.

The CSD responded to Chuwong's relatives who, despite their confidence the police will find the suspects involved in the death, expressed concern over the slow progress.

They also suspected police were trying to distance them from the case in which Chuwong was found dead in a car that crashed into a tree in Bangkok's Prawet district on June 26, 2015.

The crash probe was time-consuming, Pol Maj Gen Charn said. Experts helped police mock up the accident to determine if Chuwong was killed in the crash. Findings then needed to be double-checked with the autopsy report. "We want correct and reliable information that can answer all questions," he said.

Chuwong's relatives don't believe the accident killed the 50-year-old. They said the car crash took place a few days after the owner of the Standard Performance construction firm transferred shares worth more than 260 million baht to two women -- Kanthana Siwathanapol, 27, a golf caddie, who claimed Chuwong is the father of her young child, and Srithana Promma, the mother of Uracha Wachirakulton, 27, a former broker at AEC Securities Plc, who took care of Chuwong's stock account.

The three, along with former deputy commerce minister Banyin Tangpakorn, face fraud and forgery charges in connection with the share transfers. Mr Banyin was allegedly driving the car when the crash occurred. He has claimed he was driving Chuwong home after they had finished playing golf.

The CSD's findings from separate probe into the share transfers have been handed to prosecutors, said CSD sub-division 1 chief Pol Col Chiraphop Phuridet.

Chuwong's wife, Wanphen Thammasiri, claimed Sunday that police have attempted to discourage the family from pursuing legal action over the past year.

Three of the central figures:

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