Photo credit: Wassayos Ngamkham
Warathaphon “Boss Paul” Waratyaworrakul, a key suspect in The iCon Group fraud case, has been remanded in custody alongside 17 other suspects after the Criminal Court approved a police request for their detention on Friday.
The 41-year-old founder and CEO of the prominent online business promoter appeared visibly stressed as he was escorted from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) to the court on Ratchadaphisek Road at 9:15 AM.
Police opposed bail, citing concerns about collusion with other suspects and the systematic nature of their offenses, which have affected society and numerous victims. Officers argued that he could pose a flight risk if temporarily released.
After reviewing the police’s request and Mr. Warathaphon’s testimony, the court granted the detention request. He did not seek bail and was taken to Bangkok Remand Prison at 11:45 AM.
Mr. Warathaphon is one of 18 suspects charged with colluding in public fraud and entering false information into a computer system. All suspects have denied the allegations.
Seventeen suspects were brought to court on Thursday, where they were all remanded after the court denied bail requests from three high-profile celebrities—actor Yuranunt “Boss Sam” Pamornmontri, actress Pechaya “Boss Min” Wattanamontree, and television host Kan “Boss Kan” Kantathavorn—citing flight risk concerns. The other suspects did not apply for release.
Referred to as “bosses” within the iCon Group’s marketing structure, the suspects were apprehended on Wednesday following over 1,000 fraud complaints from victims, who reported that the company enticed them with online marketing courses costing less than 100 baht and subsequently pressured them for further financial investments, leading to significant losses.
Pol Maj Gen Suwat Saengnum, deputy commissioner of the CIB, indicated that Mr. Warathaphon expressed a desire to provide additional statements regarding his business. Investigators concluded their questioning around 8 PM on Thursday before he was taken to court the following morning.
In response to public skepticism about the firm, Pol Maj Gen Suwat stated that investigators needed time to work on the case and would collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure justice for all involved.
Withoon Keng-ngarm, Mr. Warathaphon’s attorney, stated on Friday that he would not pursue bail after other suspects were denied release. The lawyer visited his client at the CIB office before the court proceedings.
During questioning, Mr. Warathaphon maintained that his company operated legally, with his lawyer asserting the innocence of all involved.
On Thursday, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the CIB, questioned Mr. Warathaphon about an audio clip featuring a conversation between two men. Mr. Warathaphon admitted that the voice in the viral audio clip was his own but denied any allegations of bribery involving state agencies.
His lawyer also refuted claims by Ekkapop Luangprasert, an advisor to the interior minister, regarding asset conversions into cryptocurrency for bribery purposes. Mr. Withoon stated that the company’s turnover was 10 billion baht, making it implausible for that amount to have been used for bribery. He clarified that the individual mentioned by the minister’s advisor had no ties to The iCon Group and warned Mr. Ekkapop that he could face charges for making false accusations.
