Phuket MP faces possible arrest warrant if he misses DSI nominee summons

Phuket MP Legacy Somchat Techthawornjaroen faces the possibility of an arrest warrant if he does not attend a summons from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) next month. The justice minister, Rutthaphon Naowarat, informed him of this during a meeting at Government House on September 21. The DSI is seeking him as a witness in a probe regarding Thai nominees who own property in Phuket for foreigners.

Somchat, a People’s Party MP for Phuket Constituency 1, has missed several previous summons to provide a statement. He has been given three opportunities to appear before the DSI, but none have been properly delivered to him. The first summons failed to reach him, while the subsequent two were sent but returned undelivered. The DSI plans to issue a new summons on September 28, as requested by Somchat.

If he fails to appear, the DSI will file a complaint at Thung Song Hong police station, a move outlined in Section 24 of the Special Case Investigation Act. This could ultimately lead to an arrest warrant. Business records indicate that Somchat is the director or shareholder of at least 28 companies in his name or through his law firm. Despite his denial, the People’s Party has stated that they will not protect him in this matter.