Amlo freezes B44m assets of lese majeste network

Amlo freezes B44m assets of lese majeste network

The Anti-Money Laundering Office has ordered the temporary seizure of about 44 million baht worth of assets from key suspects in connection with a high-profile lese majeste case.

Amlo secretary-general Sihanart Prayoonrat said on Thursday the transaction committee had frozen 11 items worth 44.3 million baht from the suspects for 90 days, from Nov 24 to Feb 21.

The seizure comes after the police Economic Crime Suppression Division asked Amlo to examine financial transactions and assets related to criminal offences allegedly committed by the late Pol Maj Prakrom Warunprapa and his alleged accomplices. 

They include the late fortune teller Suriyan "Mor Yong" Sucharitpolwong, his personal secretary Jirawong Watthanathewasilp, who remains in detention, and Khachachart Boondee, a former staff officer with the 3rd Army, who has fled the country. 

Pol Col Sihanart said assets seized include money in bank accounts, a bank draft and two condominiums. Of the assets seized, Mr Khachachart had a 20-million-baht bank draft and 10.5 million in two savings accounts.

The seized assets were believed to have been obtained by illegal means and their temporary seizure would prevent them being transferred, sold, moved or hidden, he said.

Pol Maj Prakrom reportedly hanged himself in his cell on Oct 23, and Suriyan died of a "blood infection" on Nov 7 according to the Corrections Department. Both had been detained in a temporary prison at the 11th Military Circle barracks, where Mr Jirawong has also been held since his arrest. 


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