Ex-Miss Thailand arrested over claims charity donations funded luxury lifestyle

A former Miss Thailand and well-known social activist was arrested on Friday alongside her husband, accused of siphoning off money from her charity to buy luxury homes as police examine an estimated 1 billion baht (US$30 million) in donations.

Panadda “Boom” Wongphudee, 50, was detained at her Bangkok home early on Friday morning after the Criminal Court issued arrest warrants accusing the couple of public fraud and money laundering. Her husband, fitness influencer and businessman Atip Anantawan, who also faced a warrant, surrendered to police.

Boom, who was crowned Miss Thailand in 2000, is a household name in Thailand and one of its leading charity figures. Her organisation, the Ongkorn Thamdee Foundation (Do Good Foundation), has long been ever-present during the kingdom’s frequent seasonal floods and emergencies, with Boom often photographed handing out supplies to stricken communities.

Her efforts saw donations pour into her foundation from ordinary Thais and fellow celebrities alike. But investigators allege that millions of dollars in charitable donations were siphoned into the couple’s private bank accounts and used to buy multiple properties, including a pool villa in Phuket. Police are also investigating potential violations of the Computer Crime Act concerning online solicitations for donations under false pretences.

The couple also faces public anger over revelations that donated relief goods – including bottled water, soap and clothing – were allegedly abandoned in a warehouse rather than distributed to flood victims.

Boom has given conflicting accounts regarding the foundation’s finances in recent days, initially claiming she was misled and pointing the finger at her husband over the construction of the Phuket villa, while saying she planned to seek a divorce.

In televised appearances and public statements leading up to her arrest, Boom offered an emotional apology to her supporters, although stopping short of admitting guilt.

“There is no other word but ‘sorry’. I’m sorry for disappointing you, and sorry for making you feel so many bad things,” she said, expressing her concern for the welfare of her two young children. “I am ready to enter the judicial process.”

The scandal has sparked scrutiny in Thailand over the culture of “celebrity merit” – where high-profile figures run charities that generate both widespread public adoration and donations. In the Buddhist-majority kingdom, charitable giving is seen as earning good karma, and independent volunteer networks routinely step in to plug gaps left by state welfare.

But in recent years critics have warned of a surge of influencers exploiting natural disasters to bolster their online following, personal profiles and political influence. Boom had previously served in public roles, including acting as an ad hoc government spokeswoman during border clashes with Cambodia last year.

In response to the growing fallout, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Tuesday ordered a nationwide audit of all registered foundations.

“No individual should be allowed to use these foundations to exploit people for their own benefit through deception, fraud or dishonest dealing,” Anutin said.

Donors and fellow civil society groups have expressed outrage.

“We’re talking about a thief dressed up as a saint, someone who betrayed the faith of people across the whole country,” said Dr Khongkwan Fujinirun, a doctor who filed a police complaint on Thursday after having donated 100,000 baht to the foundation. “The victims are all the Thai people who transferred money to donate.”

Ekkapop Luangprasert, founder of community volunteer network Sai Mai Tong Rod, described his dismay after inspecting the stockpiled relief goods.

“When I went and saw the items piled up there, I was absolutely devastated,” Ekkapop said on Thursday. “What devastated me even more is that part of it may have come from organisations I had previously collaborated with in donating, because they saw that the Boom Foundation had more potential to reach disaster victims than we did.”

Despite the charges, loyal followers took to Boom’s social media channels to defend her track record.

“A diamond is still a diamond,” wrote Ayaka Kimura. Another supporter, Wisavej Wattanasuk, urged the public not to dismiss her decades of relief work. “She’s straightforward, she means what she says and does what she says, and she has truly helped the country and society.”