Request for Investigation into PM’s Golf Club Shares

Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has announced plans to request an investigation by the Election Commission into Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s ethical conduct concerning her ownership of shares in Alpine Golf and Sports Club.

This investigation follows the acquisition of a controversial land plot in Pathum Thani, which encompasses the Alpine Golf Club and a nearby residential complex.

Ruangkrai is set to file an inquiry on Tuesday to determine if Ms. Paetongtarn violated constitutional stipulations regarding the integrity of cabinet ministers, specifically Section 160 (4), which mandates evident honesty, and Section 8 of the ethical standards.

On September 3, Ms. Paetongtarn reportedly transferred her shares in the company to her mother, Khunying Potjaman Damapong. Ruangkrai referenced documents from the Department of Business Development indicating that Ms. Paetongtarn held 22.41 million shares during a shareholders meeting on April 30, with certificate numbers 5229001-74700000.

However, an updated shareholders list submitted by the company on September 4 shows that Khunying Potjaman now possesses the same number of shares with identical certificate numbers.

In light of this, Ruangkrai contends that the share transfer to her mother could have taken place on September 3, which represents 30% of the company’s total shares, totaling 74,700,000.

Since being elected Prime Minister by the House on August 16, Ms. Paetongtarn has held these shares until their transfer on September 3. Ruangkrai highlighted that the company retains ownership of the disputed 444-rai land plot, despite its registration being revoked by the Land Department in 2001.

“Holding shares in a company that owns land with revoked registration raises ethical concerns,” Ruangkrai stated, asserting that he will urge the Election Commission to carry out an investigation and potentially escalate the matter to the Constitutional Court for a ruling regarding the Prime Minister’s tenure.