Irishman Colin Vard and his daughter, Jessie, are seen in the photo above protesting today in front of Royal Thai Police Headquarters on Rama 1 Road claiming authorities are ignoring their fight for justice.
After a long running saga and still no answers or any indication those they allege to have cheated them out of seven properties in Phuket, the family took to the streets of the capital claiming police in Phuket and Bangkok have steadfastly refused to allow them to file police reports against the lawyers and policemen they say are guilty of corruption and theft.
Five years ago Mr Vard lost his mansion and other properties after his maid and former partner Nittaya Sukumpa took the deeds to a Phuket lawyer and were then subsequently sold on to other Thais, claimed to be relatives of local police, at prices considerably lower than the actual market value.
Sukumpa was later jailed for 17 years and seems to be the fall guy in it all with Vard suggesting she got little from her part in the fraud and alleges the lawyers pocketed 85-90% of the profits who then paid off local law enforcement officers as part of the deal.
Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri, spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police said in the past: ‘Those guilty must be brought to justice, whoever they are, even if they are police and lawyers.’
Yet Vard and his family are back claiming nothing has been done. I expect another photo op, lots of handshakes, smiles and promises to make the world believe all will be taken care of. Which it might or might not.