Armed with court-issued search and arrest warrants, police from the Economic Crime Suppression Division have detained Panadda Wongphudee for alleged misuse of public donations made to the ‘Do Good Foundation’.
The police arrived at the residence on a housing estate in Bangkok’s Bueng Kum area at 6.30am today as Panadda, accompanied by a lawyer, was about to begin a press conference in front of the house.
The conference was abruptly cancelled as police escorted her into the house for a search of the property. She was shown the two warrants and detained on charges of defrauding the public, money laundering and violations of the Computer Crime Act.
Panadda’s lawyer, Ekkasit Srisung, told the media that she is ready to defend herself in court.
The police plan to search two other locations today, specifically the observatory belonging to Panadda’s husband, Atip Anantawan, in Village 7, Bueng Ka Sam sub-district of Pathum Thani and the ‘Do Good Foundation’ premises in Rangsit, also in Pathum Thani.
Panadda chairs the foundation, but she was suspended from the post last month and barred from involvement in the financial affairs of the foundation pending the outcome of an investigation.
Meanwhile, Atip surrendered to police this morning at about 8.30am at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).
Wearing a dark suit and sunglasses, he told the media he does not want to be arrested at the observatory out of concern that he might not be granted bail, so he chose to turn himself in.
Atip has been charged with complicity in money laundering.
