BANGKOK; Television presenter Panadda “Boom” Wongphudee and her husband, Atip “Got” Anantawan, were taken to the Criminal Court on Saturday (November 7) as police sought their first 12-day remand in a case involving the alleged misuse of donations to the Ongkorn Thamdee Foundation.
Investigators are opposing bail, citing concerns that the suspects could interfere with witnesses or evidence, as well as the severity of the alleged offences.
Atip was taken from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) headquarters at 9.50am, followed by Panadda at 9.55am. Both were taken to the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road.
Panadda faces charges of jointly defrauding the public, entering false information into a computer system and jointly laundering money. Atip faces a charge of jointly laundering money.
During questioning, both initially denied the allegations, according to police. Before being taken to court, Panadda apologised to the public and said she had provided investigators with all the facts, adding that she would leave the matter to the judicial process. She declined to say whether she had confessed, referring further questions to her lawyer.
Atip did not respond to reporters.
At a press briefing on Saturday, Pol Maj Gen Thaspoom Charuprach, commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, disclosed the financial findings involving three bank accounts used to collect donations for the foundation.
Investigators found that the accounts had received more than 3.2 million donation transactions since 2015, involving approximately one million donor accounts. Some donors had contributed more than once, with the total amount reaching approximately 815 million baht.
Of this amount, police identified about 527 million baht that had been transferred out and allegedly used for purposes inconsistent with the foundation's objectives. Approximately 280 million baht was attributed to the foundation's activities.
The investigation identified three main accounts: a personal account belonging to Panadda, an account registered in the foundation's name, and another personal account opened to collect contributions towards building a new foundation in Pathum Thani.
Police said Panadda was the authorised signatory for all three accounts.
Investigators traced the fundraising operation back to 2015, when a personal bank account was opened to receive donations.
On December 12, 2017, a Facebook page named Ongkorn Thamdee was created to solicit contributions using the existing account.
As donations increased, the foundation was established on March 30, 2022, with Panadda as chairwoman and five other board members. On April 29 that year, the Facebook page was renamed Foundation Ongkorn Thamdee.
At a board meeting on July 25, 2022, members endorsed the continued use of Panadda's existing personal account, ending in 903, as a main channel for donations. The meeting also agreed to open an account in the foundation's name, which was established on July 27.
The original personal account was not closed. On December 31, 2022, the Facebook page again invited the public to make donations, this time directing contributions to the account registered under the foundation.
A third account was opened by Panadda on May 3, 2025, under the name Sam Thon Ongkorn Thamdee (contributions towards the foundation). It was intended to collect money for the construction of a new foundation in Pathum Thani, following plans to relocate the organisation from Bang Khen.
Police said the first and main account was linked to 12 categories of transactions worth approximately 520.7 million baht.
Among the transactions identified were transfers totalling 249 million baht to nine additional accounts opened to receive money for Panadda, and approximately 99 million baht transferred to three accounts belonging to Atip.
Investigators also traced 4.6 million baht transferred to Panadda's father through 21 transactions, alongside 18 million baht paid to a contractor involved in building pool villas in Phuket.
Another 36 million baht was transferred to a member of the foundation's board, a transaction that police said required further investigation.
Two companies established by the contractor also received transfers of 2.4 million baht and 17 million baht respectively.
Other transactions included a 10-million-baht payment for a life insurance policy naming Panadda as the beneficiary, and investments totalling 24 million baht in six mutual funds.
Police also traced approximately 2.7 million baht from fund accounts to purchases of jewellery and luxury handbags.
A further 42 million baht was withdrawn over 30 transactions at bank counters, while 19 million baht was used to pay bills on two credit cards belonging to Panadda through 251 transactions.
The second account, registered in the foundation's name and used as a fund account, was also linked to transfers into personal accounts.
Police said an initial 100 million baht was transferred to Panadda's personal account, followed by three additional transfers totalling 6 million baht.
Another 23 million baht was transferred to Atip through 15 transactions. Investigators also identified 21 million baht withdrawn over 16 transactions at bank counters.
More than 300,000 baht was additionally used towards residential instalments and common-area maintenance fees.
The third account, opened to collect contributions for the planned foundation in Pathum Thani, was linked to 44 transfers totalling 2 million baht to Panadda.
It also recorded transfers of more than 500,000 baht to Atip and 880,000 baht to a businessman in Chiang Mai. Police said the latter transaction was still being investigated to establish its connection with the case.
Investigators said the movement of money between the three accounts appeared to have been facilitated by the foundation's financial procedures.
Under the foundation's regulations, withdrawals exceeding 500,000 baht generally required approval from the board, although exceptions applied in urgent circumstances.
Police alleged that transfers between the foundation's main account, personal accounts and the supplementary account provided a way to move money without following the usual withdrawal procedures.
Investigators said some of the funds were used for foundation activities, while other transactions involved personal expenditure and assets that appeared unrelated to the organisation's registered objectives.
They also found that the foundation had not prepared and submitted the annual financial statements or balance sheets required by law to the relevant registrar.
Based on the investigation, police said they had found grounds to charge Panadda with jointly defrauding the public, entering false information into a computer system and jointly laundering money.
In Atip's case, investigators said they had not established evidence linking him directly to public fraud. However, they identified financial transfers and the receipt of money that they considered relevant to the joint money-laundering allegation.
One of the key financial trails under examination involves payments connected to the construction of pool villas in Phuket, including transfers through contractors and money allegedly returned to accounts linked to the suspects.
The amount associated with this particular financial trail exceeded 99 million baht, according to police.
Investigators are continuing to examine transfers involving a foundation board member, the Chiang Mai businessman and other individuals or companies connected to the accounts.
The latest findings put the total amount transferred out of the three donation accounts at approximately 527 million baht.
Police said further investigation would be required to establish the roles of everyone involved and determine whether additional individuals should face legal action.
