Thailand investigates 16 after Panama Papers leak
9th April 2016
SIXTEEN Thai citizens named in the Panama Papers leak are under investigation by Thai authorities.
At a news conference Friday the Anti-Money Laundering office (Amlo) said Thai politicians and business figures were among those with reported ties to offshore companies set up by a Panama-based law firm.
None of those under investigation were named, and it is not yet clear whether they broke any laws.
“Initially, we found 16 Thais were involved, not 21 as reported earlier,” Pol Col Seehanat Prayoonrat, the agency’s secretary-general, said.
“There’s no official information at this stage. To avoid violating individual rights, investigations are being conducted clandestinely.”
He said the 16 people were listed as directors or shareholders for companies set up by Mossack Fonseca.
Documents leaked from the firm and published worldwide showed it helped thousands of individuals and companies from around the world set up shell companies and offshore accounts in low-tax havens.
Seehanat said AMLO was seeking confirmation on the names from authorities in Panama.
The agency focuses on money laundering, but said it will share its findings with tax, banking and stock market authorities.
Additional reporting from Associated Press
