Investigation Expands to Include Celebrities Promoting Mae Tuck and Pa Bia
Consumer protection authorities have seized luxury vehicles valued at approximately 120 million baht linked to gold retailers Mae Tuck and Pa Bia, who are embroiled in a fraud scandal.
Pol Maj Gen Withaya Sriprasertparp, commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division, reported the impoundment of four high-end vehicles during operations in Bangkok’s Ram Intra area and at a company site in Pathum Thani on Tuesday. The investigation revolves around Kornkanok “Mae Tuck” Suwannabut, age 37, and her partner Kanpon Rueang-aram, age 35, known as Pa Bia.
Complaints from customers indicate that they purchased what they believed to be pure gold adornments, only to discover they were impure. The vehicles seized include a Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe, a Lamborghini, a Ford Mustang Ecoboost Fastback, and a Volkswagen Caravelle T69 van, alongside two Toyota pickup trucks and five motorcycles, collectively valued around 50 million baht.
This seizure follows the earlier impounding of an additional five luxury vehicles linked to the couple, bringing the total to 120 million baht. Pol Maj Gen Withaya stated that police have successfully secured all luxury vehicles the couple showcased on social media, although some images were manipulated to create the illusion of more vehicles.
Moreover, approximately 24 million baht in cash has been frozen from the couple’s bank accounts. Authorities are also investigating ownership of nine houses, 16 plots of land, and luxury watches collectively valued at 28.7 million baht.
In a significant development, the investigation has been broadened to include actors, actresses, and internet influencers who endorsed the couple’s gold adornment sales. Kornkanok and Kanpon were arrested on September 30, with their detention set to conclude on November 2. Police aim to finalize their investigation prior to this date.
