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

[Nick Carter icp]

4 minutes ago, UK Martin said:

Stories like this make me so sick of Thailand and its corrupt government... poor Tim.

 

   Eh, this is a story about the Thai Government addressing corruption .

The French Woman gained the properties by corruption, they Thai Government are reversing that corruption 

[Liverpool Lou]

6 hours ago, terryofcrete said:

Inheritance tax ...is that not clawing money from the dead. .

No, it's clawing money from the inheriting survivors.

[Nick Carter icp]

2 hours ago, renaissanc said:

There is no way that the 100 million Baht in assets will go to the state. The maid's last resort is to make an agreement with the Police that they share some of the assets with her or else she will call for an investigation about where the assets really went.

 

   Will she go to the Police and ask them to investigate where the money went ?

[hotchilli]

26 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Property that she accumulated illegally.

Allegedly, yet she managed to get the land title notes, Thais excepted the money for the sales, she was allowed to build

etc etc... then ohhh sorry it's all illegal "after the events" how convenient.

[daejung]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

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.

Will she get at last 70 millions (100-30) ?

[Liverpool Lou]

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

6 hours ago, terryofcrete said:

Inheritance tax ...is that not clawing money from the dead. .

Absolutely

Absolutely not.

[Liverpool Lou]

6 hours ago, ronster said:

o are they saying every foreigner in samui that has a home set up in a similar way to own it will basically lose their home to the state when they die and their families will get nothing ?

Yes, if they set it up the way she did with illegal nominees.  If it is set up with legal Thai partners, not designed solely to circumvent the property-owning laws, there will be no concerns.

[Nick Carter icp]

17 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Allegedly, yet she managed to get the land title notes, Thais excepted the money for the sales, she was allowed to build

etc etc... then ohhh sorry it's all illegal "after the events" how convenient.

 

   Some Thai officials on Ko Samui accepted money to bend the rules .

The was then publicised nationally and then there was an investigation by other Thais .

   Its not as if there's one big group of united Thais all doing the same thing 

 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Eh, this is a story about the Thai Government addressing corruption .

The French Woman gained the properties by corruption, they Thai Government are reversing that corruption 

 

Yet they only reverse it once the lady has died.

 

Has she remained alive, there would be no complaint. 

Or, the property would have to be 'resold' into Thai hands - where would that money go then ?

Would the Authorities confiscated, or would the money which was originally the French ladies, be returned to the French lady ?...    In the worst case, minus any fines... 

 

Thus: the question is: For any Foreigners who gain ownership of property though 'nominees' what happens when they are 'found out'  - do they lose everything ? with whom does the value of the property sit ? - or do the nominees hold it ?? - nothing has changed on their part... 

 

IF the 'nominiees' were part of the property ownership as per the land department records, don't they still have part ownership ???

 

[ericbj]

Many aspects of this case are unclear.

 

I would have thought that if the two Thais are named on the legal documents as owners for 51% of the land purchased, (in accordance with the law), then they are owners for 51% of the land. (And of the houses built on it, in the absence of legally-binding agreements to the contrary)

 

Would it matter as regards their ownership, from a legal point-of-view, if the money for their shares of the purchases came from their bank accounts or from elsewhere?
If the money was gifted, then I suspect they should have declared it as income.  A failure on their part.

 

Perhaps the Thai owners of the properties received none of the profits from the rented properties?
This would suggest that they did not regard themselves as owners, but merely as nominees in a bogus transaction.
In the latter case they would have received some kind of "backhander" (maybe a generous 51% ownership of the land value?) at times of purchase.

 

"Police identified two Thai nationals, … , 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."

Surely this case must be based upon proof, not suspicion.

 

[Nick Carter icp]

12 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Yet they only reverse it once the lady has died.

 

Has she remained alive, there would be no complaint. 

Or, the property would have to be 'resold' into Thai hands - where would that money go then ?

Would the Authorities confiscated, or would the money which was originally the French ladies, be returned to the French lady ?...    In the worst case, minus any fines... 

 

Thus: the question is: For any Foreigners who gain ownership of property though 'nominees' what happens when they are 'found out'  - do they lose everything ? with whom does the value of the property sit ? - or do the nominees hold it ?? - nothing has changed on their part... 

 

IF the 'nominiees' were part of the property ownership as per the land department records, don't they still have part ownership ???

 

 

   Quite probably received all the attention because it was headline news and the authorities being forced to take action .

   Had it remained a local issue then no legal action may have been taken . 

[tgw]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

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.

 

 

That is illegal as well.

I hope someone will prosecute the conspirators.

 

 

[newnative]

Disgusting.  The maid should at least inherit the non-real estate assets she was given in the Will.

[sikishrory]

"State" must be happy

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Some Thai officials on Ko Samui accepted money to bend the rules .

The was then publicised nationally and then there was an investigation by other Thais .

   Its not as if there's one big group of united Thais all doing the same thing 

 

Its rife in Thailand... land ownership, rights to build etc etc all very dodgy 

[geisha]

A jest from the state should allow Tim to at least inherit the jewelry and some cash. A good lawyer abroad would find out where the sale/ land money went . It would be good to follow up the results of this case. The state  is bound to make a lot of money out of all this.

[HammerGuy]

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

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

 

 

<deleted> thai government are greedy <deleted>, We knew they was never going to let her inherit 

[Umlungu]

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

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

 

 

As predictable as sunrise. How convenient to clamp down on company ownership when it suits. How about all the thousands of similar cases and the precedent set here where only the state will inherit any assets involved. Obvious;y the government is happy to entrap people over their lifetime and tolerate what is essentially a legal loophole, and then cash in when the the time comes. How about closing off the loophole from the outset - clear and concisely, but that might impact on foreign investment. 

[Umlungu]

13 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

She did everything wrong. She bypassed the Thai laws paying some Thais to use their names as 51% ownership so she could open her business and buy land using the business name. 

Although it is common practice to do it this way with foregners wanting to open a business, that does not make it legal. So many foreigners open their businesses this way skirting Thai laws and think it is ok to do it. But that does not change the facts they broke the laws and when caught will lose everything they invested and earned in their business. 

I feel bad for the maid, she should get something. But the French womans actions can not be denied. 

I hope other foreigners in this site pay hede to what can happen when the authorities find out they opened their businesses this way. 

Read again: The maid did nothing wrong. The farang lady might have. Learn to read and get the facts straight before ranting off.

[Nick Carter icp]

Just now, Umlungu said:

Read again: The maid did nothing wrong. The farang lady might have. Learn to read and get the facts straight before ranting off.

 

  He was actually referring to the French woman, rather than the Thai woman .

   The French woman  did something wrong and that's why there a problem with the inheritance 

[Umlungu]

18 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Who is the "everyone" and the "all" to whom you refer as taking money from her?

Lawyers, accountants, estate agents, real estate developers, tradesmen, hardware and furniture stores, pool builders, cleaners, DBD..... and so on. Everyone benefited from this French lady's investment and spending and consumption.

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, Umlungu said:

Lawyers, accountants, estate agents, real estate developers, tradesmen, hardware and furniture stores, pool builders, cleaners, DBD..... and so on. Everyone benefited from this French lady's investment and spending and consumption.

 

   She acquired her wealth illegally and thats whys shes being investigated 

[herfiehandbag]

20 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Of course it will.

In as much as that the people who will get their filthy stinking paws on the money and assets will be employees or connected with the "state".

 

13 hours ago, jacob29 said:

 

 

I hope there's a mistake in the report, and the lady still gets jewellery/cash not connected to the property.

😂

 Jewellery and cash are "portable assets".

 

Already gone, shared out amongst the greedy thieving bastards, sorry, I meant upright and principled state officials - that is of course, if they ever got past the police in the first place

[Nick Carter icp]

5 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

 

 Jewellery and cash are "portable assets".

 

Already gone, shared out amongst the greedy thieving bastards, sorry, I meant upright and principled state officials - that is of course, if they ever got past the police in the first place

 

   Is that an actual fact or is that what you imagine has happened ?

[herfiehandbag]

6 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Is that an actual fact or is that what you imagine has happened ?

Perhaps a not unreasonable assumption? Certainly not a wild flight of fancy!

[richard_smith237]

7 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

   Is that an actual fact or is that what you imagine has happened ?

 

Have you moved in with LL or something ????  

 

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, Umlungu said:

19 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Who is the "everyone" and the "all" to whom you refer as taking money from her?

Lawyers, accountants, estate agents, real estate developers, tradesmen, hardware and furniture stores, pool builders, cleaners, DBD..... and so on. Everyone benefited from this French lady's investment and spending and consumption.

Ok, so they were paid for the services that they provided, that is not "taking money from her" without justification, as the original comment suggested.

Edited 2 hours ago by Liverpool Lou

[Nick Carter icp]

22 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Have you moved in with LL or something ????  

 

 

  Its a genuine question .

Has the property for inheritance been stolen or is it just his imagination that it has ?

 

[Liverpool Lou]

12 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

 

One could ask if the ' setting up a company with thai shareholders ' practise was only tolerated because the government can take over the company and confiscate all assets in case that ...

It is not tolerated where illegal nominees have been used and there have been numerous cases subject to investigation and potential loss of illegal assets.   Setting up companies using Thai shareholders legally is 100% permitted, not "tolerated".

[plahgat]

I hope the maid at least can keep the cats! 😁