An exofficer with fingers in many pies

A second team of Crime Suppression Division policemen visited the Nonthaburi luxury home of Ruamnakhon Thabthimthongchai

He began his police career after graduating from the Royal Police Cadet Academy, as part of Class 42, and served at several Bangkok police stations for 12 years before resigning to work in broadcasting business in 2002.

His first deal was to produce shows for Channel 11, including an evening and afternoon news programme, before he expanded his business into real estate, finance, tourism and, eventually, energy.

Ruamnakhon, who holds the rank of a police colonel, was won several contracts - worth a total of Bt200 million - from the Tourism Authority of Thailand to produce tourismrelated shows. He has also started a service offering homestays to retired expats.

The former policeman is also planning to operate a chain of NGVservice stations thanks to his connection with PTT.

After the 2006 coup, Ruamnakhon - who had connections with several business figures allied to fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra - decided to give up on Channel 11 and concentrate on tourismrelated programmes.

In a recent interview, Ruamnakhon said he had never made any investments as anyone's nominee, but did business for its own sake. He said that apart from Thaksin, he also looked up to Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, owner of ThaiBev.

A close friend said Ruamnakhon was bright person and could have enrolled in medical school but chose to enter the police academy instead, which later offered him a chance to build connections with influential fig¬ures in the police force, military and business.