Bangkok: Special case investigators have detained three Thai nominee suspects of China Railway Co., Ltd. following over 10 hours of questioning. The suspects, identified as Mr. Manas, Mr. Prachuap, and Mr. Sophon, were taken to the Ratchadaphisek Criminal Court for detention, each denying all charges against them. Mr. Sophon claimed that he was invited to work by Mr. Prachuap and Mr. Manas.
According to Thai News Agency, the investigation centered on the three Thai shareholders of China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Co., Ltd., who were charged with engaging in a business prohibited for foreigners or requiring prior permission. They were also accused of being complicit in such offenses. Despite reporters' attempts to question the suspects about their shareholder status and their whereabouts during the collapse of the State Audit Office building, all refused to comment before being escorted away.
Pol. Lt. Col. Woranan Srilam, the spokesperson for the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), reported that the suspects denied acting as nominees. While Mr. Prachuap and Mr. Manas requested further documentation to clarify their positions, Mr. Sophon admitted to knowing the Chinese directors through Mr. Prachuap and Mr. Manas, who were affiliated with a Chinese company. His written clarification is pending, although it will not influence the ongoing investigation, which aims to verify all claims.
Additional scrutiny revealed discrepancies in the financial sources cited by the accused and the DSI. Despite the suspects' claims of low income as merchants and laborers, their financial profiles varied widely. The investigation uncovered that China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Co., Ltd. holds a 49% share through Thai directors, indicating foreign representation. The company's structure underwent multiple changes from 2018 to 2025, with funding sourced from both shares and loans.
The investigators did not oppose bail due to the suspects' voluntary surrender.