Crime Thai Coffee Mogul Prayudh Gets 24-Year Sentence for Land Scandal

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

Thai billionaire Prayudh Mahagitsiri, known as a coffee kingpin, will serve 24 years in prison after the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases found him guilty of involvement in illegal land deed issuance in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhio district. The scandal centres around the manipulation of land rights in reserved forest areas. His daughter, Usana, will serve 12 years for the same crime.

 

At the heart of the case is the illegal acquisition of land for his Mountain Creek golf course – a business owned by his company, Thainox Stainless Co., Ltd.

 

The Court's findings suggest a collaboration with Land Department officials, enabling Prayudh to obtain title deeds for more than 30 hectares of protected land. These were integrated into his resort's existing 369 hectares, significantly expanding his business.

 

Prayudh's fortune came from a wide spectrum of ventures, including his prominent status in the Thai coffee industry. With a net worth pegged at $2.6 billion as of 2025, equivalent to nearly THB 95 billion, he ranks tenth among Thailand's wealthiest individuals and holds the 1,462nd spot on Forbes' global billionaires list.

 

The court's decision marks a significant development in curbing corporate malpractice linked to influential business figures in Thailand.

 

The ruling reflects ongoing efforts by Thai authorities to address corruption, particularly in land-related frauds. Despite the substantial sentence, it is yet to be seen how these convictions will impact Prayudh’s broader business empire. 

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS World 2025-05-02

 

 

[ukrules]

This guy can't keep out of the news lately, first the Nestle / Nescafe issues and now this.
 

It's never a good idea to annoy powerful enemies, especially if you have some skeletons. Lets see how many days he does inside.

[ChrisY1]

Nestle revenge??

[anchadian]

No doubt a bail request is pending.

His first offence was back in 2023 where he received a prison sentence of 2 yrs 8 months.

[impulse]

I wonder who he really pissed off?   I doubt it was Nestle.  And it's not about 30 hectares...

 

 

[lordgrinz]

2 hours ago, anchadian said:

No doubt a bail request is pending.

His first offence was back in 2023 where he received a prison sentence of 2 yrs 8 months.

 

He should be out on bail until he dies of old age, it's nice to be rich.

[Artisi]

Forgot to pass on the brown envelopes. 

[trainman34014]

He will become very sick, very soon and be transferred to Hospital for 23 years and 364 days.     The Interest on his Fortune will pay the Medical Bills and.....ahem;  'other costs' !

[newbee2022]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

Thai billionaire Prayudh Mahagitsiri, known as a coffee kingpin, will serve 24 years in prison after the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases found him guilty of involvement in illegal land deed issuance in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhio district. The scandal centres around the manipulation of land rights in reserved forest areas. His daughter, Usana, will serve 12 years for the same crime.

 

At the heart of the case is the illegal acquisition of land for his Mountain Creek golf course – a business owned by his company, Thainox Stainless Co., Ltd.

 

The Court's findings suggest a collaboration with Land Department officials, enabling Prayudh to obtain title deeds for more than 30 hectares of protected land. These were integrated into his resort's existing 369 hectares, significantly expanding his business.

 

Prayudh's fortune came from a wide spectrum of ventures, including his prominent status in the Thai coffee industry. With a net worth pegged at $2.6 billion as of 2025, equivalent to nearly THB 95 billion, he ranks tenth among Thailand's wealthiest individuals and holds the 1,462nd spot on Forbes' global billionaires list.

 

The court's decision marks a significant development in curbing corporate malpractice linked to influential business figures in Thailand.

 

The ruling reflects ongoing efforts by Thai authorities to address corruption, particularly in land-related frauds. Despite the substantial sentence, it is yet to be seen how these convictions will impact Prayudh’s broader business empire. 

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS World 2025-05-02

 

 

 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

Thai billionaire Prayudh Mahagitsiri, known as a coffee kingpin, will serve 24 years in prison after the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases found him guilty of involvement in illegal land deed issuance in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhio district. The scandal centres around the manipulation of land rights in reserved forest areas. His daughter, Usana, will serve 12 years for the same crime.

 

At the heart of the case is the illegal acquisition of land for his Mountain Creek golf course – a business owned by his company, Thainox Stainless Co., Ltd.

 

The Court's findings suggest a collaboration with Land Department officials, enabling Prayudh to obtain title deeds for more than 30 hectares of protected land. These were integrated into his resort's existing 369 hectares, significantly expanding his business.

 

Prayudh's fortune came from a wide spectrum of ventures, including his prominent status in the Thai coffee industry. With a net worth pegged at $2.6 billion as of 2025, equivalent to nearly THB 95 billion, he ranks tenth among Thailand's wealthiest individuals and holds the 1,462nd spot on Forbes' global billionaires list.

 

The court's decision marks a significant development in curbing corporate malpractice linked to influential business figures in Thailand.

 

The ruling reflects ongoing efforts by Thai authorities to address corruption, particularly in land-related frauds. Despite the substantial sentence, it is yet to be seen how these convictions will impact Prayudh’s broader business empire. 

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS World 2025-05-02

 

 

I'm not sure they will see a prison from inside as money talks in Thailand.

We remember Thaksin very well.

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The court's decision marks a significant development in curbing corporate malpractice linked to influential business figures in Thailand.

Some but not all... 

[Watawattana]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The Court's findings suggest a collaboration with Land Department officials

How long in jail did there people get?  😂.

 

And, sorry, I couldn't resist using the coffee emoji...

 

[Purdey]

Perhaps he should have shouted "Do you know who I am?" at the judges?

[Thingamabob]

If the super rich actually do any jail time it usually consists of them being filmed entering prison through the front entrance, but not filmed shortly thereafter leaving through the back exit.

[mfd101]

Too much sugar and sawdust, not enough coffee beans.