About 100 million baht in cash and valuables found in Sia Jo’s company
About 100 million baht in cash and valuables were seized from the office of a Pattani businessman who was under suspicion of involvement in oil smuggling racket in the Deep South.
The seizure was conducted by a team of military officers and revenue officials led by Colonel Jatuporn Klampasut from the forward command of the Internal Security Operations Command when they raided Sahasap Thavee Kha Mai limited partnership in Muang district of Pattani on August 5. The operation was witnessed by representatives of the army and police and the firm’s lawyers.
The owner of the firm, Mr Sahachai Jiensermsin, alias Sia Jo, is facing bankruptcy lawsuit for allegedly evading taxes amounting to 414 million baht. The seizure of Sia Jo’s assets was ordered by the legal execution officials as part of the bankruptcy procedure.
Sia Jo has been held in military custody after the May 22 military takeover under the suspicion that he was involved in oil smuggling racket.
Eight vaults were found in the premise of Sahasap Thavee Kha Mai limited partnership. Found in one of the vaults were 28.3 million baht worth of cash in Thai and Malaysian ringgit currencies. 50 gold bars, god ornaments, priceless Buddha amulets and more cash were found in the other vaults.
After the seizure of the valuables, the firm was padlocked and paramilitary rangers were deployed to guard the premise against intrusion by unauthorized people around-the-clock.
Mr Payu Suksodkhieu, the Pattani provincial revenue official, said that all the cash and valuables were be deposited at a commercial bank for safe keeping.
Earlier on June 17, army personnel led by Colonel Jatuporn searched the firm and uncovered several documents of timber movements which were stamped with fake seals. Six fishing boats which were coverted for oil smuggling have been seizued.
One significant find was a logbook detailing bribes worth about 45 million baht paid to a long list of officials.
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Caption : Sahasap Thavee Kha Mai limited partnership in Muang district of Pattani