The announcement came at a press conference held at 3pm today (Aug 27) at the Phuket Provincial Police Headquarters in Phuket Town.
Speaking at today’s press conference, Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn deputy chief of the Tourist Police Bureau, who was joined by Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police Pol Gen Rungroj Saengkram, said, “From our investigation we found that TC Blue Co Ltd is the owner of the Phoenix tour boat and that 26-year-old Phuket resident Woralak ‘Yui’ Rerkchaikarn is a shareholder in that company.
“However, we have also found that Woralak’s husband, Chinese national Lei Hou, is the real owner of TC Blue Co Ltd and that Jakkapan Rerkchaikarn and Yindee Rerkchaikarn are also shareholders, but Woralak is a big shareholder,” Maj Gen Surachate explained.
“Investigating officers have discovered from financial records that TC Blue Co Ltd is a nominee company set up for Lei Hou.
“All those involved with TC Blue Co Ltd are now also facing charges of ang-yee (running an illegal secret organisation) as it is clear that they are running the company illegally for a foreigner,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix’s captain Somjing Boontham, boat engineer Onchan Kanhayotee and Woralak are to be charged with reckless causing injury and death to others, Maj Gen Surachate concluded.
In addition, Phuket Public Relations Department Chief Ms Bussaya Chaipeum this afternoon confirmed that weather is still delaying the raising of the ‘Phoenix’ and that attempts will resume once weather conditions improve.
On Aug 14, the lawyer representing the owner of the Phoenix tour boat, which capsized and sank in a storm off Phuket on July 5, killing 47 Chinese tourists, made a public statement vowing to fight the recklessness causing death charge in court and renouncing any testimony already given to police. (See story here.)