Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan dismissed a suggestion today that he is “Minister P”, referred to by celebrity businesswoman May Vasana as having kept her 26-million baht diamond necklace, which she claims to have lent to actress “Dew Arisara”, who then allegedly pawned it to “Minister P”.
Asked by a reporter about the allegation, Pichai said that he was not the person implicated by May Vasana, claiming that he does not know either May Vasana or Dew Arisara.
The two celebrities have recently been a hot topic on social media, with May Vasana accusing Dew Arisara of having borrowed brand name products from her worth about 62 million baht, including the “Lotus Arts De Vivre” necklace, which she allegedly refuses to return.
There are five other ministers whose names begin with “P”, they are Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Finance Minister Phichit Chunhavajira, Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob.
Meanwhile, Pol Col Anek Taosuparb, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division, urged the third party in the dispute, the so-called “Minister P”, to return the necklace to its rightful owner quickly, otherwise he or she might be charged with accepting stolen goods.
He disclosed that a businesswoman, who claims to be the rightful owner of the necklace, filed a complaint with the CSD through her lawyer on March 11. He said that he had, however, asked the lawyer to see him again today, to provide more information regarding the brand name products, including the necklace, which were allegedly lent to Dew Isara.
The police colonel said that, at this stage, he will not invite the third party to come in for questioning, adding that the case could be settled amicably, without going through legal proceedings, if the necklace is returned to the rightful owner promptly.
