BANGKOK, 11 September 2013 The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) is considering seizing assets of former Deputy Minister of Interior Pracha Maleenont and former executive of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Pol. Maj. Gen. Athilak Tanchukiat in the fire truck and boat purchase case.
AMLO Secretary-General Pol. Col. Sihanart Prayoonrat said on Wednesday that AMLO had the authority to seize assets of Mr. Pracha and Pol. Maj. Gen. Athilak, both in Thailand and abroad. The two were previously sentenced to a prison term by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions after being found guilty of fraud in the 6.6-billion-baht procurement of fire trucks and boats in 2004.
However, Pol. Col. Sihanart noted that AMLO would need to review the court’s verdict before deciding to seize their assets. If the verdict clearly suggests that some assets were acquired through the fraud, the agency will proceed with the asset seizure plan.
As for other defendants in the same case, such as late Bangkok Governor and Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, the AMLO head said the office would not be able to touch their assets if the court ruled that they were not guilty.
