Influencer seeks foundation probe - Bangkok Post
Boonyanuch Saengsri, holding envelope, files a complaint over alleged donation misuse by the Good Deeds Foundation on Friday. (Photo: Central Investigation Bureau) A Facebook influencer has filed a police complaint seeking an investigation into the Good Deeds Foundation over allegations that it used public donations for purposes unrelated to its charitable objectives.
Boonyanuch Saengsri, owner of the Facebook page "Oilsri and Phong Phueak", accompanied by her legal team, lodged the complaint with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) at the Central Investigation Bureau on Friday, seeking an examination of the foundation chaired by former beauty queen Panadda "Bum" Wongphudee.
Ms Boonyanuch said she was among the donors who contributed money to the foundation during last year's flooding in the South, having transferred 1,000 baht to support flood victims.
She decided to file the complaint after finding preliminary information suggesting that some donations might have been used to finance the construction of a pool villa in Phuket, and she questioned whether it served any public benefit or charitable purpose.
"Donations come from the trust of people across the country. Accountability is more important than the good deeds previously performed," she said.
Ms Boonyanuch also challenged Ms Panadda's recent claim on a television news programme that documents had been forged without her knowledge.
She said Ms Panadda must provide evidence to refute the allegations, adding that she remained unconvinced the foundation's chairwoman could have been unaware of contracts, bank transfer slips, and receipts related to a project worth as much as 50 million baht.
Lawyer Thanakan Noiphithak, who accompanied the complainants, said the foundation's financial regulations required expenditures exceeding 500,000 baht to be approved at a board meeting and signed off by more than half of its members.
However, preliminary checks reportedly found several transfers exceeding that amount to external parties without proper supporting approval documents.
The complaint seeks investigations into possible public fraud, violations of the Computer Crime Act and money laundering.
Mr Thanakan said four donors had come forward so far, including Ms Boonyanuch, who donated 1,000 baht, and three others who contributed 2,000, 20,000 and 100,000 baht respectively during last year's flooding. The legal team expects more donors to seek assistance. He stressed that the case would proceed through the legal process rather than be settled through private negotiations.
The team plans to pursue the matter through other channels.
It will submit a complaint to Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Monday, asking for an examination of the foundation's operations.
On Tuesday, it will approach the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) to request an examination of financial transactions and possible asset freezes. The following day, it will submit a petition to the House committee overseeing money laundering investigations.
The complainants welcomed Ms Panadda's decision to step down temporarily as foundation chairwoman and suspend donations, saying the move would prevent further contributions in the interim.
Deputy PM Pakorn Nilprapunt called for stricter financial audits of foundations and associations, proposing ties with the Thailand Federation of Accounting Professions to establish clear accounting standards.
