BANGKOK: Thai actress and charity founder Panadda “Boom” Wongphudee was arrested at her Bangkok home on Friday (Nov 6), in an investigation into donations to the Ongkorn Thamdee Foundation, 26 years after winning the Miss Thailand crown.
Economic Crime Suppression Division officers arrested Panadda in the Navamin area following warrants issued by the Criminal Court on Nov 5 for her and her husband, Atip “Got” Anantawan. Panadda faces allegations of jointly defrauding the public, conspiring to launder money and committing offences under the Computer Crime Act.
Miss Thailand winner turned to women’s rights
Panadda, born on Jan 10, 1976, became a television presenter, actress and newsreader after winning Miss Thailand in 2000.
A sexual assault case on a train in 2014 subsequently prompted Panadda to campaign more actively for women’s rights and safety.
Panadda also pursued higher education, earning a doctorate in business administration from Rangsit University.
Alongside entertainment work, Panadda used her public profile to support women, children and people seeking help over alleged injustice.
Volunteer network became a foundation in 2022
Panadda’s charitable work developed from individual cases into the Ongkorn Thamdee volunteer network, which became a registered foundation in 2022 with Panadda as chair.
The registration application was submitted on March 30 that year, with initial capital of 500,000 baht.
Panadda had opened an account named “Ongkorn Thamdee by Ms Panadda Wongphudee” in 2014. According to the foundation’s explanation, the volunteer work initially relied on Panadda’s own money before members of the public began contributing.
The Ongkorn Thamdee network brought together staff and volunteers to support people affected by poverty, violence and disasters.
Its work included flood relief, community kitchens, medical equipment and assistance for vulnerable women and children, funded through donations of money and goods.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Panadda and the Ongkorn Thamdee team helped arrange hospital beds, oxygen concentrators, medical supplies and other essentials.
Donation accounts and construction payments drew scrutiny
Questions about two Ongkorn Thamdee donation accounts emerged between Oct 28 and 30.
The scrutiny followed Panadda’s Oct 27 announcement that she wanted to end her marriage to Atip, amid disputes involving land, property and money kept in a safe.
The foundation’s legal team explained that the original account bearing Panadda’s name remained in use alongside an account in the foundation’s name, with the board’s endorsement.
The scrutiny also focused on reported transfers exceeding 45 million baht to a contractor building pool villas in Phuket.
Allegations of onward transfers from a contractor to Atip also emerged, with the details and purposes of the transactions still under examination.
Panadda explained that the foundation’s building project at Khlong 8 in Pathum Thani had a budget of about 50 million baht and was intended for charitable operations.
Panadda maintained that transactions involving her husband required further examination.
Foundation suspended Panadda before police financial checks
The Ongkorn Thamdee Foundation announced on Oct 29 that Panadda would temporarily stop performing her duties as chair, with its vice-chair taking over in an acting capacity. The foundation also suspended donations through all channels pending the outcome of checks into its finances and the people involved.
Police reportedly examined approximately 15–17 bank accounts connected to Panadda, Atip and the foundation between Nov 2 and 4, alongside asset records dating back to 2015.
Further financial checks were reported between Nov 3 and 5. The Anti-Money Laundering Office was reported to be examining more than 1.8 million transactions, with some assets temporarily frozen.
The allegations against Panadda and others remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings. The warrants and arrest do not establish guilt. - The Nation/ANN
