DSI Eastern Region Director Prawit Chaibuadaeng led a team of officers to R.B. Power & Sailing Co. in Najomtien Feb. 20. Officers simultaneously raided another five properties in Chonburi, looking for evidence related to charges of tax evasion, tax fraud, theft, extortion, intimidation, nominee-company exploitation, and making threats to clients, suppliers and government officials.
Italian Raoul Bianchetti has a lot of questions to answer about his boat building business.
At the Sattahip District main office, DSI officers interviewed Manager Kanchanok Chummongkol and seized documents related to money transfers. At Bianchetti’s Huay Yai home, officers served the suspect with a warrant and seized documents and computers.
Investigator Lt. Col. Kritchanat Janthakaew said the DSI had received complaints from more than 10 foreigners that Bianchetti had built sub-standard yachts that sunk at mooring, listed from launch and were otherwise unseaworthy. Complaints also surfaced Bianchetti would use parts and materials other than those listed in advertisements and then demand extra money from customers to fit their boats with the advertised gear.
Kritchanat alleged Bianchetti was avoiding taxes and had used a Thai nominee to register the company.
