DSI insists it won’t unfreeze KCUC assets

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday insisted the agency would not unfreeze 3.8 billion baht in assets connected with the multi-billionbaht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement scandal.

Around 50 victims affected by the scandal yesterday lodged a petition against the DSI against the revocation of the order, saying the KCUC would repay only its creditors and those who had deposited with the cooperative, not shareholders.

Pakorn Sucheevakun, the chief of the DSI’s Bureau of Financial and Banking Crime, yesterday asserted the department would not cede to the cooperative committee’s wish to have the order revoked as the investigation has not finished yet.

The DSI was earlier pressured to unfreeze 3.8 billion baht in assets connected to the high-profile embezzlement case by incumbent KCUC chairman Padet Mungthanya and members in November of last year.

Mr Padet said if the DSI approves the unfreezing of these 299 assets, the KCUC would be able to ease the grievances of thousands of its members.

Pol Lt Col Pakorn said the victims’ petition would be forwarded to DSI director-general Paisit Wongmuang and Justice Minister ACM Prajin Juntong for further consideration.

The Anti-Money Laundering Office at the time resolved not to do anything with the seized assets because the Civil Court had already ruled against ex-KCUC chairman Supachai Srisupa-aksorn and 17 others in connection with the embezzlement.

They were ordered to pay compensation of 3.8 billion baht to the KCUC, and a legal process to retrieve the money is now under way.