Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee yesterday (June 11) accompanied victims representing a private company, referred to as ‘Company B’, to meet with Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, Commander of Phuket Provincial Police.
The victims allege that a woman, identified only as ‘Ms Patcharin’, deceived them into investing in a fraudulent visa application scheme which has seen little progress in the local police investigation.
Initial discussions revealed that one of the board members of the school, identified only as ‘International School A’, may have connections to a Chinese mafia group, with related complaints already filed at Chalong Police Station.
MP Chalermpong warned that such scams not only financially damage individuals but also tarnish Phuket’s image as a safe destination for tourists and investors. He urged anyone seeking to invest in visa or labour-related services to always contact the relevant authorities directly.
Company records show that ‘School A’ is registered as a private international school for pre-primary education, with a registered capital of B20 million and joint Thai-Chinese ownership, MP Chalermpong said
Although ‘School A’ has publicly distanced itself from Ms Patcharin, victims allege that she played an active role in school operations, including organising training sessions, managing visa documentation for students and soliciting investments from potential backers, MP Chalermpong explained.
The investigation also uncovered that, aside from the visa scam, one of the accused individuals may have used nominee arrangements to circumvent Thai laws governing foreign ownership.
Evidence indicates that the suspect held the position of third director at ‘School A’ and also established ‘Company B’, which offered legal advisory services and had the authority to sign and stamp official documents.
MP Chalermpong noted that investigations were ongoing.
After the meeting, Maj Gen Sinlert explained that the case had been handed over to the Chalong Police to investigate.
“This case is not complicated,” he said. “Police officers will investigate the financial transactions, gather information and collect evidence to identify those involved.”
He explained that student visa applications should be submitted directly through official agencies, not through brokers or agents.
“Using brokers can lead to false claims, such as promises to expedite the process by preparing documents or by claiming to have connections that can guarantee approval,” he added.
“This creates opportunities for scammers to exploit applicants, causing harm to both employers and the country’s reputation,” Maj Gen Sinlert said.