The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) has resolved to freeze assets worth more than 4.2 billion baht from a group of people linked to the "zero dollar" tour scandal and OA Transport Co for alleged tax evasion.
Acting Amlo secretary-general Romsit Wiriyasan said the board resolved yesterday to temporarily freeze 125 asset items worth a total of 4.25 billion baht belonging to Thongchai Rojrungrangsi, former managing director of Royal Thai Herb Co, a business linked to OA Transport, and several other people.
OA Transport, which operates a tour bus business catering to mainly Chinese tourists, is run by the Rojrungrangsi family.
OA Transport has been accused of racketeering in connection with a "zero dollar" tour operation. Despite the court of first instance in August acquitting the firm and its executives, the company and its group face a charge of tax evasion lodged by the Revenue Department.
Public prosecutors have also appealed against the racketeering acquittal.
Pol Maj Gen Romsit said Mr Thongchai and several others are suspected of evading paying taxes, making illicit financial transactions or concealing revenue, as well as hiding assets related to illegal activities, according to an initial probe conducted by the Revenue Department.
During 2011 to 2016, the suspects submitted false tax records that robbed the Revenue Department of up to 7.7 billion baht, Pol Maj Gen Romsit said.
The acting Amlo chief did not elaborate what the illegal activities were.
Mr Thongchai was among 13 suspects, including six firms and shops, accused of involvement in the "zero dollar" scam, in which foreign tourists, mainly Chinese visitors, were lured into buying cheap tour packages in Thailand but were forced to buy unusually expensive souvenirs and services during their stay.
His firm, Royal Thai Herb Co, which sells Thai herb products and other healthcare items, is part of the same business group as OA Transport.
Meanwhile, Amlo was to freeze the assets of APS Clock System Co executives worth 62 million baht.
The executives are accused of using false documents to seek loans from several banks between 2011 and 2013, which caused damages worth 3.4 billion baht, Pol Maj Gen Romsit said.
In a third case, Amlo has frozen 53 million baht in assets of Mr Thaweesak Sujjaritwattananon and several other unnamed individuals.
He is accused of running a call-centre scam targetting people in the North.
A total of 13 people in the North fell victim to the gang losing 19.8 million baht, Pol Maj Gen Romsit said. Police think the gang is part of a transnational crime syndicate with members in Thailand, China and Taiwan, Pol Maj Gen Romsit. said.