On 15 March 2023, Mr. Theppasu Bovornchotidara, Acting Secretary-General of Anti-Money Laundering Board revealed that the Transaction Committee’s resolution at its 3/2566 meeting, on 14 March 2023, issued temporary seizure and freezing order of assets connected with the commission of an offence, 6 items of assets (tractor and deposits in bank accounts), total value of 500,000 baht, with its fruits, for not exceeding 90 days i.e., from 14 March 2023 to 11 June 2023, the case of Mr. Samart and associates, which was the commission of an offence relating to malfeasance in office or malfeasance in judicial office under the Penal Code, or offence of malfeasance in office or corruption under other laws and could constitute as predicate offence under Section 3 (9) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act B.E. 2542 (1999).

                        Today’s operation (15 March 2023) is an collaborative effort between Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and The Anti-Corruption Division of the Royal Thai Police to conduct a search on the residence of Mr. Santi, Deputy Chief of Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Public Health Office, and 4 related locations consisting of the house of the former high-level executive of Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Public Health Office and the house of former staffs of District Public Health Office. The search found additional 24 items of assets connected with the commission of such predicate offence i.e., cars and cash, total value of 1,214,410 baht, and gold ornaments, jewelry, Buddha amulets, which are to be appraised for value. Because of emergency of the case, Secretary-General issued temporary seizure order of the said assets with its fruits, for not exceeding than 90 days, from 15 March 2023 to 12 June 2023, under Section 48 paragraph two of Anti-Money Laundering Act B.E. 2542 (1999).

                        Mr. Theppasu, the ASG of the AMLB added that there are many cases currently in the process of examination and investigation aiming to seize and freeze assets connected with the commission of an offence that could effectively break the criminal cycle relating to predicate offences and deprive the offenders of their financial gain.