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Chonnapat Naksua and others given 30 days to prove B159m in assets were acquired legitimately

The Anti-Money Laundering Office on Tuesday impounded assets worth 159 million baht from coalition MP Chonnapat Naksua and others as part of an investigation into online gambling.

Investigators following the money trails of people who had violated the anti-money laundering law found connections with Mr Chonnapat and others, said Withaya Neetitham, the Amlo assistant secretary-general.

He said the suspects in the original investigation hosted online gambling on websites including www.gimi88.com, www.gimi44.com and www.ts911goal.com.

To prevent the transfer or concealment of assets that could be linked to criminal activity, the Amlo transaction committee resolved to impound 69 assets worth a total of 159 million baht from Mr Chonnapat and others for up to 90 days for examination.

The frozen assets consisted of cash, vehicles, land plots, money and stocks in trading accounts, and deposits.

If the affected parties want to get the assets back, they must present evidence within 30 days to prove they were legally acquired, said Mr Withaya.

Mr Chonnapat is an MP for the southern province of Songkhla with the Klatham Party, in which Deputy Prime Minister Thamanat Prompow serves as de facto leader.

The MP last week denied the allegations, saying they stemmed from an investigation in 2021, before he entered politics, and that he had been cleared at the time.

Thamanat, no stranger to the legal system himself, also came out to defend the MP.

“Many politicians have pasts, but what matters is whether they have already gone through due process,” he said. “We must avoid using old cases as political weapons.”

Klatham Party chief adviser Thamanat Prompow comments on allegations about Chonnapat Naksua, saying the MP deserved a chance to explain himself. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)