Report Singaporean Businessman Arrested in Bangkok for VAT Evasion

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A 71-year-old Singaporean businessman was arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport just moments before boarding a flight back to Singapore. He faces allegations of evading value-added tax (VAT) amounting to over 5 million baht.

 

Pol Maj Gen Thatphum Charuprat, commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, announced the arrest on Wednesday. The arrest occurred on Tuesday, after Thai authorities, acting on behalf of the Revenue Department, issued an alert regarding the businessman’s involvement with a company that allegedly failed to report income and fabricate VAT payment records.

 

The businessman's company operated in information services during the period from July to October 2015. The discrepancy was highlighted when investigations revealed no income declarations and incorrect VAT reporting, resulting in approximately 5.24 million baht in lost revenue for the state.

 

Upon his arrest, the businessman confirmed his role as the company's authorised director during the specified period but denied any involvement in the alleged financial misconduct. Thai police declined to release his name as investigations continue.

 

This case underscores the ongoing efforts by Thai authorities to clamp down on economic crimes and ensure compliance with tax laws. The businessman now faces legal proceedings as the process unfolds.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-04

 

 

[FlorC]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

during the period from July to October 2015

Acting with a delay of 10 years , so I guess we're safe here not reporting income.

And yes I understand this is mainly about VAT.

[BKKBike09]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the arrest occurred on Tuesday, after Thai authorities, acting on behalf of the Revenue Department, issued an alert regarding the businessman’s involvement with a company that allegedly failed to report income and fabricate VAT payment records.

 

The businessman's company operated in information services during the period from July to October 2015. The discrepancy was highlighted when investigations revealed no income declarations and incorrect VAT reporting, resulting in approximately 5.24 million baht in lost revenue for the state.

 

There's got to be more to this than meets the eye. The RD audited this company and found that, ten years ago, for a period of three months, the company didn't file VAT returns? The legal requirement here is to keep all paper records (invoices etc) for the past 5 years; no-one in their right mind keeps the past 10 years, because why offer RD more rope with which they can try to hang you?

 

If the story is that the company was only live and trading during jul-Oct 2015 then it's even more bizarre. Unless - (warning: conspiracy theory alert) this is some politically driven thing trying to dig dirt and working up a tax / foreign nominee type narrative to cause trouble for someone influential locally - 'information services' = prominent local telco/broadband company with a history of Singapore investment involvement etc

[wensiensheng]

Goodness knows what the real story is. Dragging up this case from 10 years ago certainly isn’t it.

[TheFishman1]

In talking about dragging things out they can’t find the Red Bull kid who killed the cop TIT

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, TheFishman1 said:

In talking about dragging things out they can’t find the Red Bull kid who killed the cop TIT

That's because his paper trail is littered with 1,000 baht notes

[SOTIRIOS]

OMG...The Director Doesn't Do The Accounting & Tax Filings Does He...(?)

[rumeaug]

TEN YEARS AFTER ?....i don't know, there must be an Alvin Lee fan in the ECSD