CAB secures orders freezing €250k

The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has secured orders freezing €250,000 held in the name of a Thai national in the Dublin branch of an international bank. 

The orders were sought as part of an international probe into alleged money-laundering activities.

The orders were sought in relation to monies invested for the benefit of Ms Jittisopa Siriwan, aka Jitisopa Siriwan (40), with an address in Bangkok, Thailand.

In proceedings against Ms Siriwan, CAB says she is the daughter of a former Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) which is responsible for funding contracts to promote tourism.

It is alleged that the former Governor had taken bribes from US-based firms who were given lucrative State-funded contracts.

CAB, represented by Benedict Ó Floinn BL, secured the freezing orders, on an ex-parte basis (one side only represented), from Mr Justice Raymond Fullam who adjourned the matter to next month.

The Bureau alleges, following an investigation involving the FBI and Thailand’s National Anti Corruption Commission of Thailand (NACC), it believes the funds invested with Dublin based HSBC Life (Europe) Ltd constitute the proceeds of crime.

Counsel said Jittisopa Siriwan’s mother Juthamas Siriwan was the Governor of TAT from 2002 to 2006.

TAT receives subsidies of millions of dollars from the Thai government to spend on both the Bangkok International Film Festival and other contracts to promote tourism.

Counsel said TAT was involved with a number of Beverly Hills-based firms controlled by American businessman Gerald Green and his wife Patricia Green which obtained contracts from TAT, including one to run the film festival.

Counsel said in proceedings brought by the US Government the Greens were accused of paying Juthamas Siriwan an estimated US $1.8m in bribe money or “kickbacks” in exchange for lucrative contracts to manage and operate the film festival.

Acting on an tip off regarding the alleged bribery of a Thai Tourism official the US Authorities launched an investigation into companies controlled by the Greens.

It revealed TAT and other bodies under Juthamas Siriwan’s control transferred $US14m to businesses controlled by the Greens

Counsel said in 2009 the Greens were found guilty in the US of charges including money laundering.

The US also charged the Siriwan’s with money laundering offences relating to their alleged involvement with the Greens.