UTHAI THANI -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Monday impounded 102 blocks of land and buildings, worth about 400 million baht, believed to be linked to the country's biggest loan shark network, known as the Helmet Gang.
DSI officials, police and soldiers searched 10 houses linked to Wichai Panngam, the 47-year-old alleged leader of the network, early on Monday morning. The properties are in tambon Tha Sung of Muang district.
They impounded the deeds to 102 areas of land and buildings covering about 800 rai in Muang and Nong Khayang districts.
DSI deputy director-general Suriya Singhakamol said the houses searched included one where Mr Wichai had lived. His ailing parents were staying there.
There were lenders in Uthai Thai who were part of Mr Wichai's network, but his parents were unlikely to be involved, he said.
Late last year the DSI started to impound assets linked to the Helmet Gang. In mid-January, 29 properties worth 42 million baht were impounded in Pathum Thani province. The hunted boss is believed to be hiding overseas.
Dusadee Araruit, deputy permanent secretary for justice, said in Bangkok that Mr Wichai had considerable assets in Uthai Thani. Each house was worth at least 20 million baht.
Soldiers reported that many vehicles had been driven away from those houses when authorities first began searching and impounding the suspect's assets in Pathum Thani province in December, Pol Capt Dusadee said.
Mr Wichai had expressed from overseas his interest in turning himself in, but only on the condition that he would be released on bail, the permanent secretary said. He did not say which country Mr Wichai was in.
Justice authorities believe Mr Wichai headed the biggest loan sharking service in the country. The network was established in 2011, had 86 branches nationwide and charged up to 300% interest per annum. It was also believed to operate in Cambodia.
Investigators believe about 1,000 government officials were accomplices, abusing their authority to force debtors to make repayments. The network is said to have included 2,000 black market creditors who had distributed some 4 billion baht to 170,000 borrowers.
In December, authorities impounded assets worth more than 150 million baht from the gang. Raids and asset seizures are continuing.
Video by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd