A Chinese director and major shareholder of the China Railway No 10 (Thailand) company was arrested and booked today, by officers from Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI), on charges of violating the Alien Business Act by using Thai nominees to hold shares in the company.
DSI officials are also looking for three Thais, identified as“Prachuab”, “Sophon” and “Manus”, who are believed to be nominee stock holders in the construction company.
On paper, the trio hold 51% of the company’s equity, but DSI officials do not believe they are paid-up voting shareholders because of their financial status.
The Chinese director, identified as Zhang Chuanling, was apprehended at his hotel room in Bangkok’s Ratchadapisek area. Through an interpreter, a DSI official informed him of the charges specified in the warrant.
The China Railway No 10 (Thailand) - Italian-Thai Development Corp (CREC-ITD) joint venture entity won the 2.1 billion baht contract to construct a new office building for the State Audit Office, on 1.6 hectares of land rented from the State Railways of Thailand in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok.
The building collapsed while under construction when it was struck by tremors from a strong earthquake in Myanmar on March 28.
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said the DSI is also looking at filing charges against ITD and CREC for alleged bid rigging to win the contract.
