Embezzlement victims urge DSI to speed up investigation

Embezzlement victims urge DSI to speed up investigation

More than 100 victims of the 12-billion-baht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement scandal rallied Wednesday outside the Cooperative Auditing Department to demand legal action against the cooperative's former chairman. (Photo by Pawat Laopaisarntaksin)
More than 100 victims of the 12-billion-baht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement scandal rallied Wednesday outside the Cooperative Auditing Department to demand legal action against the cooperative's former chairman. (Photo by Pawat Laopaisarntaksin)

People affected by the 12-billion-baht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement scandal Wednesday petitioned the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to speed up its probe of the case.

Assisted by Ajchariya Ruangrattanapong, chairman of the Club for Justice Under Investigation — a non-profit organisation working to help victims of crime — those affected by the scandal submitted a petition demanding action by the DSI.

First, the victims want the department to accelerate legal proceedings against Supachai Srisupa-aksorn, a former board chairman of the co-operative and a key suspect in the scandal.

Second, the victims — who are mostly members of the cooperative — want the DSI to press charges against two other alleged accomplices, Watchanon Nawa-isararak and Jiradech Wongpiankulthan, for allegedly defrauding them and laundering money.

Third, they asked the DSI to investigate whether the Cooperative Promotion Department and Cooperative Auditing Department were aware of Mr Supachai's alleged misconduct and whether agency staff were involved in the embezzlement. 

The victims also demanded a review of statements given by a group of 25 people affected by the alleged embezzlement to the DSI in connection with the case.

They felt a review of the statements would make the case against the suspects stronger.  

The group plans to gather at the Criminal Court on March 12 to oppose any bail applications for Mr Supachai and other suspects.

Also on Wednesday, Dusadee Arayawuth, deputy permanent secretary for justice, and a number of DSI officials, witnessed the opening of a safe seized from S W Holding Group — a company with possible links to the Klongchan scandal.

The opening of the safe was arranged by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo). 

Mechanics spent an hour breaking open the safe. Inside were land title deeds, bank passbooks, amulets, five guns and a knife.

S W Holding Group is located near Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani. 

Although Sathaporn Watthanasirinukul, the company owner, was a novice at the temple for more than 20 years, a link between the suspect and the temple cannot be confirmed at this stage, said Pol Col Dusadee.

Mr Supachai donated 714 million baht of allegedly embezzled funds to Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

According to the Amlo, Mr Supachai transferred money to Mr Sathaporn in 2010, which may be linked to the case. 

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