The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has obtained information regarding the whereabouts of fugitive Dr. Boon Vanasin and two brokers and is expected to wrap up the case against them this month, according to Pol Cpt Wisanu Imtrakul, deputy director-general of the DSI.
Dr. Boon Vanasin, the founder and chairman of Thonburi Healthcare Group, posted an advertisement on social media in February last year, announcing plans for five expansion projects in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. These included a four-billion-baht cancer centre and a five-billion-baht elderly wellness centre in Bangkok, two hospitals in Vientiane and one in Champasak in Laos, a joint venture project to build a hospital in Vietnam, at an estimated cost of five billion baht,and a medical intelligence facility, at an estimated cost of 100 million baht.
Many businessmen and medical practitioners fell for the publicity and invested in the projects, through individual contracts with Boon, accompanied by letters of guarantee. Post-dated cheques were issued by Boon to each investor to ‘ensure’ they would be refunded (plus interest).
Most of the cheques bounced, though, prompting investors to file complaints with Huai Khwang police.
Wisanu disclosed that the DSI is currently holding 13 suspects in custody, but not Dr. Boon or the two brokers, adding that Interpol Red Notices have been issued for the three fugitives.
All the suspects have been charged with defrauding over 400 investors of more than 12 billion baht.
