The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has summoned People’s Party MP for Phuket Somchart Techathavorncharoen to meet investigators next Monday in an inquiry into alleged foreign nominee arrangements.
Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat said it was the third summons for Mr Somchart, who has been asked to provide information as a witness.
The DSI’s Security Crime Division is examining evidence indicating Mr Somchart may be involved as a shareholder and director in private companies that own property and condominium units in Phuket jointly with foreign nationals.
Investigators are checking whether the arrangements violated the Land Code, particularly rules prohibiting Thai nominees from holding assets on behalf of foreigners.
Mr Somchart was initially summoned to meet investigators on Aug 31 but said he had not received the summons by mail. He was then scheduled to report on Monday, but asked to postpone the meeting until the end of this month, citing parliamentary duties.
DSI investigators have now summoned him again for next Monday, Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said, noting the agency needs to expedite the investigation after some companies in the area closed and land was put up for sale at unusually low prices.
He said the closures and sales below actual value could indicate that the owners are giving up possession, and the DSI has been instructed to examine the details further.
If the MP fails to appear for the third summons, investigators will proceed under Section 24 concerning failure to comply with a summons, the minister said.
Asked whether MPs could decline to report to the DSI while Parliament is in session, Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said the summons was only for him to provide information as a witness.
“There is nothing to lose by coming to provide information. If there is evidence, he can bring it in. If anything is missing, he can come and provide information so investigators can seek additional evidence,” he said.
Addressing a separate probe into PP list-MP Pawoot Pongvitayapanu’s alleged involvement in an online forex investment scheme, Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said the case was expected to be concluded and submitted to prosecutors by the end of this month.