iCon Group CEO Waratphol Waratvorakul and 17 executives are being held in the custody of the Central Investigation Bureau, initially on chargers of cheating the public and violations of computer-related crime laws.
Among those in custody are celebrities, namely former TV host Kan Kantathavorn, former Pheu Thai member Yuranunt “Sam” Pamornmontri and Peechaya “Min” Wattanamontree. Others have only been described by police as “Boss Pin”, “Boss Suey”, “Boss Win”, “Boss Joy”, “Boss Off”, “Boss Peter”, ‘Boss Aek”, “Boss Tommie”, “Boss Pop” and “Boss Soda”.
Last night, Workpoint Entertainment announced the immediate termination of its contract with Kan as a TV host, after he and the 17 others were charged by the police.
All the suspects have been denied bail so far and it remains unclear whether the police will seek court approval today for their further detention.
Vitoon Keng-ngarn, a lawyer representing Waratphol, aka “Boss Paul”, told the media today that his client has denied the charges, claiming that his company has not operated a Ponzi or pyramid scheme to cheat its investors.
He said he will seek bail for Waratphol with the court today, if he is taken to the court to have his detention extended.
