Recycling Firm's Board Member Arrested for 333 Million Baht Tax Fraud

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

In a significant development, the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) police have detained Sarisa Raksinapapawi, a board member of a recycling company, for allegedly participating in a tax fraud scheme that resulted in state losses exceeding 333 million baht (US$10 million).

The ECD, under the directive of Police Major General Thatphum Charuphat, acted on a warrant issued by the Pathum Thani Provincial Court on September 4, 2024. Sarisa, 46, was apprehended in front of a residence in the Sam Khok district of Pathum Thani province.

The charges against her stem from collaborative efforts between ECD officers and the Revenue Department officials. The investigation, which began in 2017, involved inspecting a recycling company in Uttaradit province following allegations of tax fraud. It was discovered that the company had been acquiring unauthorised tax invoices to claim fraudulent value-added tax refunds.

Investigators scrutinising the company’s tax documents uncovered 1,012 fictitious tax invoices, implicating a recycling trading company registered in Pathum Thani, where Sarisa served as managing director. She was identified as the signatory on these documents. Upon visiting the company’s registered office, officers found no legitimate business operations conducted at the site.

These fraudulent activities implicated both companies in severe financial harm to the state. As the investigation progressed, accumulated evidence led to arrest warrants. Sarisa, who has been residing in Pathum Thani, was eventually captured by the authorities.

During questioning, Sarisa denied the allegations, but officials remain sceptical given the extent of the evidence. She has been turned over to ECD investigators for further legal proceedings as the investigation continues to unravel the full scope of the tax fraud operation.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-09