-FROM ANDREW DRUMMOND
Royal Thai Police HQ, Bangkok MAY 18 2011-
Police in the Thai capital Bangkok today promised ‘transparency’ in an investigation into a massive fraud committed on an Irish businessman on the holiday island of Phuket – a holiday destination which is increasingly being dubbed the ‘island of greed’ by local expatriates and tourists.
As a gang thought to be comprised of police, lawyers, and local ‘businessman’ tried to hang on to their newly acquired assets and cash, officers from the Thai mainland who had been ordered to investigate were turned away by local police, who insisted they handle their own investigation.
The mainland Police Colonel Cherdprong Chewpreecha from Region 8 Headquarters in Surat Thani 
(shown right in blue after rescuing son of Irish businessman) had allegedly discovered that police themselves were hiding evidence including a whole file involving local police themselves.
But he and colleagues were forced to return to the mainland after a standoff in Chalong, Phuket.
His land title deeds, it is alleged, were taken by his housekeeper, who, with the assistance of lawyers, police, and influential businessmen, transferred them from his company name, and sold them off at bargain prices, in an at least one case to the relative of a senior policeman.
During the later stages of the fraud, Colin Vard’s children, Jessie, 12, and Daire, 9, were allegedly padlocked in a well at the family home, while their father was in Ireland to attend a wedding.
Two senior policemen from Phuket, one based in the Chalong area, and one a senior provincial officer, were named as suspects in the conspiracy by investigating officers. It is the sister of one who was reported to have acquired one of Vard’s houses.
‘The housekeeper was arrested as was her older sister and the last I heard this matter was going through the courts and Mr.Vard would get his houses back. It has been stated that police and lawyers were involved. I am seeking clarification of what has happened. I will keep you informed.’
Meanwhile Mr.Vard, whose father was Cecil Vard, who drove for Jaguar in several Monte Carlo rallies, and was also the founder of the Dublin Lions Club, was last night still in hiding with his children.
‘I’m afraid with two different sets of police now up against each other this makes matters more dangerous. Police in Surat Thani have advised me to move every three days, and change my phone regularly. I am told it is not safe to go back to Phuket because I am of course the major witness.
‘And actually the housekeeper is in danger too, whether she is in jail or outside, because she got very little of the real money and the gang would not want her to testify.’
The reputation of the island of Phuket has been massively tarnished over the last year with widespread allegations of scams and rip-offs on everything from hiring jet skis – a damaged one can cost the tourist up to $5000 ,and police have been involved in the extortions – to simply catching a cab . Tourists have reported they have been thrown of taxis out on the way to the airport after they refuse to pay more than the agreed price.
Last week Dirk Naumann, the German Honorary Consul on the island in an unusual public outburst, said on a local news site Phuketwan: ”Too many people on Phuket only seem to care about money. It really is time for those who can see what is happening on Phuket to speak out, to show that they want Phuket to be a better place, a place that their children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy.
”I believe Phuket is running out of time. Unless changes come soon, it will be too late for this beautiful island.”
Police Major General Prawut ‘If there are police or lawyers involved they should be arrested’
Link:Children Padlocked in Well as Irish father is robbed of his holiday homes
No where to run to, no where to hide..
Keep up the good work Andrew, don't lets these cases drop. Publish the hell out of them!:)
yes, well done Andrew.
Too many times news articles in Thailand are not followed up and we find corruption has occured after the event.
I would love to know what happened to the russians who murdered Victor, a property agent in Pattaya. As always the news stopped shortly after arrest.
How to get the email address of this police officer in Surat Thani…..he should be sent as many support and congrats messages as possible.
No surprises here. Thailand is medieval with differing regions and spheres of influence governed by barons operating to no other agenda than exploiting as much as they can wherever they choose through fear, cronyism and corruption.
The forthcoming farce of general elections will do nothing to alter this bleak picture and finding one diamond in the rough, such as the worthy police officer in Surat, doesn't mean the landscape is going to be any less barren.
Asian and corruption go hand in hand. In Asia it's just business but if there is likely to be any relief then it will come from a strong man with the army behind him. Unfortunately, looking at the current cadre that too is as likely as Mr Vard getting his money back and those responsible for the theft ending up in the monkey house.
Dickens used to poke a great deal of fun at rotten boroughs and pork barrel politics. So I would call Thailand Dickensian. Especially since Dickens was so obviously railing against people of a medieval mindset, who presumed they still had the god-given right to call all the shots. The election is of course a complete waste of time. Nothing more than pretentious amaat calling themselves prai in a cynical attempt to engraciate themselves with the very easily foxed electorate. We could do with a few Dickenses around here to poke some major fun at the d******ds who claim to run, or who aspire to run the current anarchic mess of Thailand.
Ron. I can only guess at 'd*****ds'. This post seems to be a little off subject. Is is just an anti-Thai rant? If so as a regular here I am sure you know there are other forums more suitable.
Thank you for all the good comment here. I am very happy to investigate this case and looking forward to help everyone who have a problem in Thailand.Now i become one of Vard's family and this make my heart bigger.
I seem to remember it's 'deadheads'. Keep up the good work!
If the Thais are not careful they will see their incomes drop as the tourist stay away and go to other places or countries where they are welcome. Because of the financial situation in the Eurozone I doubt many will be comming from Europe this year (families as well as single travellers)
As everyone knows who has spent any time in Thailand, the country is run by two mafias. One civilian mafia and another official – military and police mafia. Any opportunity seen to capitalize on a foreigner or some other situation where there is money to be gained by criminal or unlawful means, like bees to a honey pot they come. Without doubt, these creatures in most countries would end up before the court and inside prison for a lengthy ""holiday"" however it seems that in Thailand, this so called ""rule of law"" is a very tenuous one indeed. Rule number one. Never invest into Thailand that which you cannot afford to squander.
Sam: Well he appears to have replied here Sam. I am sure he appreciates your comment
good points steve and wayne
tourists don't appreciate how it runs as they aren't here long enough
and the movers and shakers that control the tourist industry don't care about either the tourists themselves or the tourist businesses in the front line
Don't go to Phuket. Simple.
Let's hope the family get the justice they deserve