At 10:35 a.m. on 3 Aug 2023 GMT+7, at the Government Complex, Building C, 2nd floor, DSI hall, Chaeng Watthana Road, Bangkok. Film Rathapoom Tokongsap. The famous actor, accompanied by his lawyer, arrived to meet investigators at the Department of Special Investigation following a summons to acknowledge allegations in an unauthorized Forex trading case. Charges include conspiracy to fraudulently obtain money from the public, conspiracy to commit fraud, conducting securities brokerage without a license, conducting futures trading business without authorization or registration, conspiracy to input false computer data likely to cause public harm, conspiracy by two or more persons to commit money laundering, and actual commission of money laundering due to conspiracy.
He was given the opportunity to explain the allegations, including findings of financial transactions linked to Etherwealth Co., Ltd., identified as a broker network, and a transfer of 6,000,100 baht from Mr. Puritat (surname withheld) on 26 Jun 2014, with a total cumulative transaction value of 142,919,860.13 baht.
Additionally, Film's financial transactions are linked to broker company HF Markets (SV) Ltd, registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a Caribbean island nation. Many brokers register offshore to avoid Thai regulatory oversight, such as in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, the UK, Cayman Islands, and Comoros. This complicates legal rights and asset recovery for investors when disputes arise.
As a result, Film has been classified among brokers accepting trades, prompting investigators to prepare questions regarding the nature of these financial transactions and his connection to Etherwealth Co., Ltd. and HF Markets (SV) Ltd.
Lawyer Pramarn Luangwattanavanich stated before accompanying Film to meet investigators that they would respond fully to all matters raised by the investigators, especially those linking Film to the case.
He added that if there are documents involved, they would be submitted later. Regarding disputes in the news, such as payment gateways transferring funds into bank accounts, these are unrelated to Film or the current investigation.
Investigators likely have evidence of financial routes involving payment gateway companies transferring funds to other accused individuals, with funds subsequently moved elsewhere. Whether fraud occurred depends on who ultimately received the funds. Investigators are believed capable of tracking this, and Film is genuinely unrelated.
Lawyer Pramarn also mentioned rumors that Film received 142 million baht from Mr. Puritat might stem from misinformation or fabricated figures, as the source and basis of this number remain unclear until official charges are reviewed.
The charges are as the investigators have stated, broadly covering fraud, the emergency decree on fraudulent lending, and others previously reported. He noted that arrest warrants require probable cause, such as flight risk or evidence tampering, and generally two summons attempts before issuing warrants.
He said they would review the charges and evidence carefully before responding, emphasizing that previous news reports have not implicated Film during the relevant periods.
Film stated that allegations linking him to broker groups are untrue. While there may be financial links involving companies where he is a director, he emphasized he is not a broker, has never solicited investments, and is not connected to any names reported in the news, which may cause misunderstandings.
He explained that he only provides system services, and broker companies have contacted his firms for connectivity, contact, or know-how purposes. He is uncertain which aspects investigators focus on or which company of his is involved, as he serves as director of multiple firms providing such systems.
Today, he brought full documentation, including bank statements from 2023 to 2026, for investigators to verify transaction amounts with Etherwealth Co., Ltd. and HFM Ltd. He can clarify where and why funds were transferred. Brokers likely contacted his company due to its software expertise, which is normal for connectivity or MetaCode services. He denied any involvement in the prior Forex-3D case, citing possible misunderstandings in news communication.
Film also denied the rumor that he received 142 million baht from Mr. Puritat (his brother), calling it nonsense and non-existent, expressing confusion over why such a figure is attributed to him. He considers the number fabricated or baseless.
He confirmed that neither Etherwealth Co., Ltd. nor HFM Ltd. are his companies.
Regarding why DSI disclosed an investigation chart linking him, he said he will listen to investigators' explanations. He also stated no connection to QRS Global or Ms. Mallika (QRS executive), nor does he know Coach James, questioning why his name appears in DSI records.
He expressed confidence that all agencies provide justice to the public and expects fair treatment. Having gone through many processes, he trusts fairness and wishes to hear all allegations first.
Film said he has never known the various companies mentioned in the news and is currently not worried but wants to hear from investigators first. Regarding bail during investigation, he noted that others arrested and detained by court did not warrant such severity in his view, expecting fairness from authorities.
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