Police seize luxury bags, jewellery from condos linked to actress Panadda

Police have searched two Bangkok condominiums owned by accused charity fraudster and actress Panadda “Boom” Wongphudee, finding designer-handbags and jewellery items valued at tens of millions of baht.

Pol Col Chamnarn Chanthes, chief of the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD)’s sub-division 4, led officers armed with search warrants to inspect the two condominiums -one in Soi Ratchakhru and the other on Sukhumvit. Both properties had previously been purchased by Ms Panadda.

According to ECD investigators, a review of CCTV footage before police searched Ms Panadda's home in the Nawamin area on Nov 6 showed that vehicles had entered and left the property twice, with both trips ending at the two condominiums.

The investigators subsequently obtained search warrants and inspected the properties, where they found numerous items of jewellery and luxury-brand handbags, with a combined estimated value of tens of millions of baht. The items were seized for further examination.

Jewellery also found in two condominium units belonging to Panadda Wongphudee. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

Earlier, representatives of leading luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton and Hermès, had requested a postponement of their examination of 32 designer handbags seized from Ms Panadda's main residence.  Initially believed to be counterfeit, the bags were due to be inspected on Tuesday, but the examination was rescheduled for Wednesday.

On Wednesday, reporters observed that ECD officers had brought five vehicles belonging to the Goodness Foundation, chaired by Ms Panadda, to the parking area in front of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) complaint centre to be held as evidence in the case.

The vehicles, all bearing the foundation's logo stickers, comprised:

-A white Toyota Commuter passenger van with Chon Buri registration plates;

-A black Mitsubishi Triton pickup with Bangkok plates;

-A white Toyota Hilux pickup with Bangkok plates;

-A white Toyota Hilux Revo pickup with Bangkok plates; and

-A white Toyota Alphard HEV Executive Lounge E-Four with Bangkok plates.

All five vehicles were parked at the site with notices attached to their windscreens stating: “ Evidence, ECD sub-division 4” 

An officer on duty said the vehicles had been brough to the site on Tuesday evening. The Goodness Foundation’s logo had been removed from the vehicles.

The fifth vehicle, the Toyota Alphard, was believed to be Ms Panadda's personal car. A pass bearing the symbol of the parliament complex, allowing entry and exit at the premises, was also found displayed at the front of the vehicle.

Ms Panadda, 50, who was Miss Thailand in 2000 and her husband Atip Anantawan, 53, were charged with public fraud, money laundering and computer crimes in connection to their campaigning for donations to her foundation. More than 800 million baht was reportedly raised.

The couple were arrested on Friday and remanded in to custody. Ms Panadda was detained at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution and Mr Atip was sent to the Bangkok Remand Prison. 

A photographer takes photos of five vehicles belonging to Ms Panadda Wongphudee's Goodness Foundation found parked at the Central Investigation Bureau's complaint centre. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

One of the five vehicles bearing the symbol of the parliament complex. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)