Thai housemaid’s 100 million baht fortune hits a legal snag

[snoop1130]

 

A Thai housemaid on Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, is unable to claim a 100-million-baht estate left to her by her deceased French employer due to illegal actions surrounding the foreigner’s business.

 

The 59 year old French businesswoman, Catherine Delacote, took her own life on April 29 of this year by shooting herself at her luxury villa on Koh Samui. CCTV footage from the property showed Catherine using a mop to turn the camera away before shooting herself in the temple.

 

Reports indicate that Catherine died by suicide due to her battle with cancer. Her Thai housemaid, Natwalai, also known as Tim, told the police that her employer frequently expressed her struggles with the illness.

 

The story drew public attention when details of Catherine’s will emerged. The will, drafted before her death, stipulated that she wished to leave two luxury villas to her ex-husband Vincent and the remainder of her assets which were valued at about 100 million baht to her housemaid, Tim.

 

The assets Tim was set to inherit included luxury villas with plots of land worth around 30 million baht, cash, savings in bank accounts, jewellery, other valuables, and even Catherine’s three beloved cats.

 

In an interview with several news outlets, Tim expressed her astonishment at Catherine’s decision. She revealed that she had lived with Catherine for about 17 years, starting from when the Frenchwoman was staying in a rented room.

 

 

Tim had been by Catherine’s side throughout her journey of building rooms, resorts, and luxury villas for rent. As Catherine’s business expanded, she moved to Koh Samui, purchasing land and constructing five luxury villas for personal use and rental purposes.

 

Illegal registration and nominees

 

While the story initially inspired heartwarming sentiments, it also raised questions about the legality of Catherine’s business operations and land ownership.

 

This prompted an investigation by the police and Surat Thani Provincial Administration officials. The inheritance intended for Tim was put on hold pending the outcome of the investigation.

 

After more than seven months of inquiries, Surat Thani Provincial Police announced today, November 26, that Tim would not be able to claim the assets because officials discovered illegal practices in Catherine’s business dealings.

 

Police identified two Thai nationals, 50 year old Thongssai Katisuk and 36 year old Ratchaprapa Soreda, as shareholders in Catherine’s company. Investigators suspect the two acted as nominees, enabling Catherine to register her company and hold land on the island illegally.

 

A law firm was also implicated in providing consultation and facilitating the unlawful registration of Catherine’s company. Police would summon all relevant parties for questioning and to face legal charges.

 

Due to these illegal activities, Tim is denied the inheritance, and all of Catherine’s assets will eventually become state property following the conclusion of the legal proceedings.

 

By Petch Petpailin

Photo via KomChadLuek

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-11-26

 

 

[rbkk]

Who to trust when you can't trust the Thai lawyers? I feel sorry for Tim; she did nothing wrong.