90% fake? Police reveal findings on designer bags seized in Boom Panadda case

BANGKOK – Thai police said on Wednesday (11 November) that approximately 90% of the first batch of 32 designer handbags seized during an investigation into Boom Panadda Wongphudee‘s Tham Dee Foundation appeared to be counterfeit, as officers searched two more condominiums and confiscated additional luxury goods.

Pol. Col. Nittichot Phenjamrat, deputy commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD), said preliminary examinations suggested that most of the handbags in the first batch were fake, although official confirmation from specialists was still pending.

The findings emerged as ECD investigators searched two condominiums on Sukhumvit 31 and Soi Ratchakhru in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district on Wednesday morning.

Both properties are registered in Panadda’s name and had previously been included among assets frozen by investigators.

Police said they had yet to determine whether Panadda lived at either property or allowed other people to occupy them.

More designer goods seized

During the latest searches, officers confiscated 12 designer handbags, most of them Louis Vuitton, along with 11 scarves, four items of designer clothing and 53 pieces of jewellery.

Nittichot said the jewellery would be examined by specialists to determine its materials and value before investigators traced its origins and identified the sellers.

The second batch of handbags appeared to be of better quality than the first, but police said they could not yet establish whether the items were genuine.

Selected handbags will be sent to their respective manufacturers for authentication, with the process expected to take approximately one month, depending on each company’s procedures.

Investigators will use the findings to support further proceedings involving the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), including decisions on whether seized assets may be auctioned or forfeited to the state under the law.

Police trace money used to purchase luxury goods

Investigators are also examining how Panadda acquired the handbags and jewellery, including the sources of funds used to purchase them.

Nittichot said some handbags lacked serial numbers, making it necessary to conduct further financial checks to establish their origins.

Police are gathering documentary evidence and witness statements as part of the investigation into the foundation.

Meanwhile, investigators have issued summonses to several people connected to the case, including foundation board members, recipients of funds and individuals whose financial transactions may be linked to the investigation.

Some have already appeared for questioning, while others have requested additional time to prepare supporting documents.

Further interviews are expected to take place throughout the week as investigators continue examining the foundation’s financial activities and associated assets.