DSI unable to reach Phuket MP in nominee-property inquiry

Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said it was still waiting for Phuket MP Somchat Techathaworncharoen of the People’s Party to provide evidence as a witness on 28 September 2026 in an inquiry into possible nominee ownership of property involving foreign nationals.

The DSI’s Security Case Division said it had been unable to contact Somchat by phone and had also failed to reach him through people who might be able to contact him. He had arranged to meet investigators at 9.30am that day, after postponing a witness summons three times.

Investigators are examining evidence that Somchat was involved as a director and shareholder in a private company holding real estate and condominium units in Phuket alongside foreign nationals. The inquiry is checking whether anyone breached the Land Code, including through nominee arrangements.

The DSI said Somchat had previously reported that he had not received the first summons, which set a meeting for 31 August 2026. A second summons set a date of 7 September 2026, but Somchat requested a postponement, citing parliamentary duties related to consideration of the 2027 annual budget bill in its second and third readings from 7–9 September 2026. He also cited other field assignments.

Investigators said they had prepared questions about the nature and objectives of Somchat’s businesses, his duties within the offices, any law office or party office, and the sources of funding. They also want documents on company registration, the management structure, internal duties and bank transactions, including the source of funds used for property, land and condominium holdings involving foreign nationals.

The DSI said the inquiry remained a fact-finding process and was not yet the prosecution of anyone. Investigators have questioned people close to Somchat and others in the property sector, and want to compare his account with witness statements and documentary evidence.

The investigators said it would be up to the inquiry team to decide what action to take under the law if Somchat remained unreachable. They added that providing a clear explanation could help establish whether he was genuinely conducting business rather than holding assets on behalf of foreign nationals.