Police look to impound 30 ‘Magic Skin’ cars

As the chief investigator in the probe against controversial Magic Skin products, national police deputy chief Pol General Weerachai Songmetta said the police had evidence of audio clip of a conversation between Magic Skin business owner Wannapa Poungson and another person about transferring her cars and other assets to avoid being seized by the authorities during the investigation.

Weerachai said police found that Wannapa had 15 cars worth Bt40 million in her name while her husband Korn Poungson, also a suspect, had another 15 cars worth Bt28 million in his name.

The police would impound them for inspection if they were bought with ill-gotten money, he said, warning that others who might be involved in asset transfers could be held accountable.

Police already asked the Land Transport Office to report car ownership transfers to the case investigators immediately, he said. Weerachai said police will soon summon six celebrities to testify and possibly hear charges on May 26.

They are "Miss Tiffany 2012" beauty peageant Nisamanee "Nat" Lertworapong, actress Esther Supreeleela, actress Sririta Jensen, actress Kaneungnij "Rodmay" Jaksamittanon, actress and singer Namcha Sheranut Yusananda and actor Phupoom "Ken" Phongpanu.

Former deputy superintendent of the police special branch and Don Muang Modern Market operator's adviser Pol Lt-Colonel Santhana Prayoonrat complained to the national police chief to probe three police generals, including Weerachai, for alleged discrimination and bullying.

But Weerachai said the multiple raids on the market were part of a normal, legal investigation. "I'm just doing my job.I am not an opponent and have no close, personal relationship [with Santhana]. ... I am not afraid of lawsuits. If the police are afraid of suspects, who can the public depend on? If you do things for the public, the law will protect you," he said.