Dept urged to demand tax from maker of talismans

CONTROVERSIAL AMULETS

Dept urged to demand tax from maker of talismans

Investigators in the Somdej Nue Hua talisman case have asked the Revenue Department to demand retroactive tax from the amulet maker if he is found to be a tax delinquent. Sitthikorn Boonchim, also known as Sia Ood, was arrested on Saturday for allegedly engraving without permission an image of the royal crown on Buddhist amulets produced by his jewellery firm.

He is also accused of wrongfully advertising the production and distribution of the amulets had royal backing.

After many people placed orders for the amulets, the Royal Household Bureau, whose permission is required to use the royal insignia, strongly denied involvement.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is looking into whether Mr Sitthikorn, president of Diamond Hill Co, has a criminal past to support its legal action against him.

''If he is found guilty, the Revenue Department has a right to bill him for retroactive tax payments,'' said DSI chief Sunai Manomai-udom.

His agency will tomorrow discuss its investigation with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who is to chair a DSI committee meeting.

Mr Sitthikorn is to face a charge of violating the Consumer Protection Act through misleading advertising, the DSI has said. It also has alleged Mr Sitthikorn's firm was involved in making fraudulent amulets in the past.

Mr Sitthikorn earlier said his firm had received the approval of Wat Suthas Thepwararam and its Atthama Rachanusorn Foundation to produce the Phra Somdej Nue Hua amulets. He said sales revenues would be used to build the Wat Soda Pradittaram temple in Ratchaburi province.

Meanwhile, Sansern Palawatvichai, chief of the DSI's Bureau of Consumer Protection and Environment Crime, said the immigration police had been asked not to allow Mr Sitthikorn to leave the country.

Mr Sitthikorn was arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport on Saturday as he was about to fly to Japan. He was later released on bail.