On April 21, 2025, three Thai nationals affiliated with China Railway No 10 (Thailand) reported to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to acknowledge charges connected to acting as nominee shareholders for a foreign-owned business.
The individuals—identified as Manus Srianant, Prachuab Sirikate, and Sophon Meechai—are listed as directors and shareholders in the construction firm, which is a local branch of the Chinese state-owned enterprise. The DSI has raised concerns over the legitimacy of their ownership, citing insufficient financial capacity and lack of relevant engineering qualifications.
The case follows heightened scrutiny after a major incident on March 28, when a building under construction by a joint venture involving China Railway No 10 (Thailand) and Italian-Thai Development Corporation (IDC) collapsed in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. The structure, intended to house the State Audit Office, gave way following seismic tremors from an earthquake in Myanmar. The disaster resulted in more than 40 confirmed fatalities, with approximately 50 individuals still unaccounted for.
Authorities suspect that the use of nominee shareholders may have been intended to bypass Thailand’s Alien Business Act. The DSI, in coordination with police and related agencies, is also investigating additional factors behind the collapse. These include possible use of substandard materials, unauthorized alterations to the lift shaft design, and inadequate construction oversight.
Manus Srianant’s legal representative has denied the nominee allegations, maintaining that the three men hold legitimate stakes in the company. Details about other individuals or officials present during the reporting to DSI were not disclosed.
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