The victims travelled to the CRSJ Foundation headquarters in Nonthaburi on Monday (Dec 1) to file their complaint with foundation president lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch and vice-president Raphasit Phatthasirichaisin.
Carrying contracts, payment slips and other evidence, the group said they had been left with unfinished homes despite paying millions of baht in deposits and, in some cases, the full sale price.
The buyers said they were persuaded to purchase villas priced between B15-20 million from a project initially presented by Baan Rim Bua Co Ltd.
The broker behind the sales, named by the victims as “Mr Chaiwat”, was described as the owner of Alisha Grand Co Ltd and Alisha Property Co Ltd. They allege he disappeared when construction stalled and the date for land transfer arrived.
One complainant, Ms Sariya, who attended with her Canadian husband, said they paid a B3.3mn deposit for a villa they hoped to move into with their young child. Now six months pregnant, she said she never expected “a fellow Thai” to deceive her (crying as she spoke), adding that her husband had always believed in the integrity of Thai people.
Another victim, 84-year-old ‘Grandma Puangpen’, said she had paid the full B20mn for a villa intended as a retirement home to share with her daughter, who recently returned from the United States. Instead, she was left with little more than an incomplete structure “not even 50% finished”. Her daughter continues to support her emotionally as she struggles with the shock of the loss.
A further buyer, Thongchai Thongcharoen, said dozens of victims had so far come forward, with combined losses already exceeding B100mn. He said he later discovered that the 16 rai of land on which the villas were being built did not belong to the broker, but to a prominent Phuket mayor who serves as a canvasser for a well-known political party. He fears the case may face interference despite already filing a report with Thalang Police.
Foundation Vice President Raphasit noted that many victims were persuaded by marketing that featured a well-known foreign model as the project’s presenter, adding that the promotions created a false sense of confidence in the development.
Mr Ronnarong said initial findings suggested the case constituted “public fraud”, with links between the sales companies and the children of a provincial mayor. He said further investigation was required to determine the extent of Mr Chaiwat’s involvement, but preliminary document checks showed connections among the entities.
The foundation said it will take the victims to file formal complaints at Government House or with the Central Investigation Bureau, noting concerns that those who bought properties tied to politically connected individuals may face unfair treatment if the case proceeds only at the local level.
Of note, Mr Ronnarong has recently been in the national spotlight after urging flood victims in Hat Yai and other southern provinces to consider legal action over alleged state failures in managing the recent floods.