Phuket contractor alleges foundation funds were used in disputed pool-villa project
A Phuket contractor told the Thai television programme Hone Krasae that Bum Panadda Wongphudi had visited a disputed pool-villa project, amid questions over foundation payments and transfers involving her husband.
A Phuket building contractor identified as Chang Ae has alleged that television personality Bum Panadda Wongphudi visited a pool-villa construction project and knew about the development, amid a dispute over payments from the Ongkorn Tham Dee Foundation and transfers involving her husband, Got Athip.
Speaking on the Thai television programme Hone Krasae, the contractor said Panadda had visited the Phuket site once, had eaten with him and knew that pool villas were being built there. He also said the project had initially been commissioned as a house before being changed to eight pool villas.
The contractor estimated the cost at about B8 million per villa, or B64 million for all eight. Construction reportedly began on 3 April 2025 and had reached the third villa when payments stopped. He said he had advanced about B7 million and had prepared documents detailing the expenses.
According to the contractor, Got initially paid instalments normally before saying he had a personal problem and then stopped responding to messages and calls. The contractor said he contacted Panadda in early 2026 because he could no longer reach Got and told her that more than B1 million in project expenses was outstanding. He said Panadda replied that she would speak with Got, but that a proposed sale of the land ultimately did not proceed.
The contractor also said payments initially came from the couple’s personal accounts before money from the foundation account was used for construction instalments. He said transfers from the foundation to him were either used for pool-villa payments or subsequently sent to Got.
The contractor further alleged that unclear transfers led to a tax problem. He said the Revenue Department demanded more than B2 million in tax, after which he could not contact the relevant people and did not have enough money to pay.
The allegations have not been resolved in the report. It said further clarification from Panadda was still awaited.
