Illegal Chinese associations targeted nationwide

Withan Sukkan, an interrogative director of the Department of Provincial Administration, met Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, deputy national police chief, yesterday (Feb 20) to file a complaint against unlicensed Chinese associations for their suspected vested interest, reports the Bangkok Post.

The targeted associations included one in the name of Yu Xinqi, who was recently arrested for allegedly using his association and business school to illegally bring Chinese people into Thailand.

Mr Withan said the director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration assigned him to file the complaints, including one concerning Yu’s alleged operation of an unlicensed association and input of false information into a computer system.

Also, the permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry ordered provincial governors who were provincial association registrars to check local associations and take relevant action, Mr Withan said.

There were many fake associations nationwide like that of Yu and registrars could revoke them, he said.

Pol Gen Surachate said Yu faced charges of crimes related to computer systems, fundraising and illegal association operation. He was blacklisted and would be deported.

The deputy national police chief also said he received a lese majeste complaint against Yu from whistleblower Chuvit Kamolvisit and police were working together with the Interior Ministry to tackle unlicensed associations.

Meeting Pol Gen Surachate at Nang Loeng police station yesterday, Mr Chuvit said Yu had referred to “the institution” to mislead Chinese people so he decided to ask police to take legal action related to the lese majeste law.

There were 500-600 associations in Kanchanaburi province alone, Mr Chuvit said, along with a proxy firm of Chinese lawyers on Rama IX Road and a triad’s unlicensed association on Srivara Road.