A Trang land official and two accomplices have been arrested for allegedly colluding in falsifying title deeds for 95 rai of land in Hua Hin resort town with an estimated value of over 950 million baht.
Crime Suppression Division police arrested land official Siriporn Boonchana at the Trang provincial land office. Her husband Prasit Sangthong, a member of Trang’s Koh Pia tambon administration organisation, was caught at Trang Hospital and another man, Sathaporn Ketmuang, was nabbed at his house in Muang district of Trang.
The trio were wanted on arrest warrants issued by the Criminal Court for colluding in fraud, falsifying official documents and using fake documents. Several fake title deeds were seized, Pol Col Phumin Phumphanmuang, superintendent of CSD’s sub-division 5 said on Friday during a media conference.
The arrests came after Wichian Khaopitakwong filed a complaint with CSD police, alleging Ms Siriporn and the other suspects had falsified title deeds for his land plots covering 95 rai at Khao Chong Pradu in Hua Hin district, Prachuap Khiri Khan. The land, situated in downtown Hua Hin near the Hua Hin provincial court, was worth about 950 million baht, said Pol Col Phumin.
Pol Col Phumin Phumphanmuang, superintendent of CSD’s sub-division 5, during a media conference on Friday.
Mr Wichian has occupied the land since 1996 and had Por Bor Tor land documents. After authorities had issued an announcement for land survey and the issuing of title deeds, he went to the local land office for surveying the land so title deeds would be issued.
The man later knew a land broker, known only as Mr Charan, who introduced him to Ms Siriporn, official at the Trang land office. The broker told him that the woman could coordinate with land officials in Hua Hin for the issuing of title deeds.
Mr Wichian was convinced and he later met Ms Siriporn at the Trang land office, where the woman asked him for 20 million baht in exchange for her work, according to Pol Col Phumin.
Mr Wichian did not have the money but kept contacting Ms Siriporn, who later asked him to transfer money for land surveying expenses. He then transferred 307,000 baht to the woman.
Later, the woman, accompanied by her husband and Mr Sathaporn, gave three title deeds to the victim.
The man found out he was swindled when he took them to the land office in Hua Hin and was told his title deeds were fake. He then filed the complaint with the CSD.
During the interrogation, Ms Siriporn denied falsifying the title deeds but admitted Mr Wichian had contacted her about the land survey so he could get land title deeds.
The two other suspects also denied their involvement, claiming they just accompanied the woman, said Pol Col Phumin.
Second suspect Prasit Sangthong, a member of Trang’s Koh Pia tambon administration organisation, is one of the three allegedly involved in land title deed falsification. He was caught in Trang province. (Supplied photo)
Third suspect Sathaporn Ketmuang, escorted by Crime Suppression Division police, is taken to the CSD head office. (Supplied photo)