Sonthiya has submitted a request to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to examine the Kan Jomphalang Foundation regarding the use of solicited funds and the placement of shipping containers at the Ban Tha Sen trade facilitation zone.
At 10:30 a.m. on 26 Oct, Mr. Sonthiya Sawasdee submitted a letter to the Director-General of the DSI, requesting an investigation into Mr. Kan Phatthas Phongpaiboonwech, also known as Kan Jomphalang, and the Kan Jomphalang Chuasu Foundation. Somkiat Phetpradap, Director of the Complaint Investigation Division at the Special Case Administration Office, accepted the letter on behalf of the agency.
Sonthiya Sawasdee stated that he came today to request the DSI investigate the Kan Jomphalang Chuasu Foundation and Mr. Kan Phatthas Phongpaiboonwech, who has operated in the military area under the Border Defense Forces of Chanthaburi and Trat. He raised concerns about possible lack of transparency, potential violations of laws between Thailand and Cambodia per international agreements, and the use of solicited funds from the public. He questioned whether there has been corruption or money laundering through the foundation.
The information Sonthiya provided to the DSI today requests a focused investigation on specific activities, which may have been conducted under a legal entity or individual, not on behalf of the state. In particular, the inquiry targets activities in the Thmoda area, a district in Cambodia, although the containers and 3 km of electrical wiring were installed in the Ban Tha Sen trade facilitation zone, in Laem Glad and Chamrak subdistricts, within the Mueang Trat district of Trat province, under the supervision of the Border Defense Unit of Chanthaburi and Trat. He questioned the installation by Mr. Kan of one container, a CCTV camera, and the 3,000-meter electrical line in this area.
Additionally, Sonthiya submitted a witness list for the DSI to interview regarding whether Mr. Kan's installations encroach on Thai territory. He also raised questions about the budget source—whether funds came from Kan Jomphalang's fan club or the foundation—and how these funds were separated or managed. Since the foundation is governed by the 1944 Solicitation Control Act, Sections 8 and 9, donations must comply with regulations from the Department of Provincial Administration. The investigation will clarify whether combining funds from the fan club and the foundation is lawful, how much money was collected, and whether donors were properly informed on fund use. This will determine compliance with laws governing foundation establishment and fundraising.
He also raised concerns about Mr. Kan entering areas requiring approval from three joint Thai-Cambodian border committees: the General Border Committee, the Joint Boundary Commission, and the Regional Border Committee. Since Thmoda remains under negotiation by the GBC, Sonthiya wants to verify if the container installation, CCTV, and electrical wiring by Mr. Kan complied with the agreements recorded by all three committees.
Sonthiya added that this is not his first complaint to the DSI regarding this matter; he previously filed a report on 31 Oct 2025 about Mr. Kan and the containers. At that time, he faced criticism questioning his motives, but military reports indicated potential overstepping of authority by soldiers responsible for the area. He emphasized that anyone working for society or the public who collects money must be accountable and subject to scrutiny.
He urged the public, whether fans or supporters of Mr. Kan Jomphalang, to continue support or criticism but to consider evidence and reason. He said that harsh insults are unhelpful for national progress, but understanding all sides leads to clearer conclusions. He affirmed having no personal bias against Mr. Kan and never personally knowing him, as well as only limited interaction with lawyer Tum on a program without private contact. His sole aim is to ensure proper, transparent investigation through official channels, verifying whether authorizations exist with supporting documentation.