The iCon Group case

[6] On October 7, 2024, Kanchai Kamnerdploy reported on a news program about a well-known multi-level marketing company that had enlisted prominent Thai celebrities to promote investment opportunities.

On October 8, he posted a message on social media stating that the company had begun threatening individuals and was prioritizing the protection of its celebrity endorsers over the victims.

[11] While the Consumer Protection Board planned to summon the celebrities involved for questioning, The iCon Group issued a statement on October 10, claiming that the three were not authorized signatories or shareholders.

[12] On October 11, Pakorn Chatborirak, a presenter for The iCon Group, clarified his role, stating that he was merely a spokesperson and not involved in the company's management.

[18] On October 16, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) presented evidence to the Criminal Court and secured arrest warrants for all 18 suspects involved in the iCon Group case.

[19] The court approved all 18 arrest warrants, and later that day, the DSI apprehended Waratphol while he was giving a statement at the Consumer Protection Board (CPB).

[20] On the same day, Thai authorities seized a 63-rai plot of land owned by The iCon Group, located in Pathum Thani Province, valued at over 1 billion baht.

Additionally, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) confiscated various assets belonging to the suspects involved in the case, including luxury vehicles, cash, electronics, branded goods, and jewelry, with a total estimated value exceeding 100 million baht.

[26] A scandal erupted in Thailand involving a prominent Buddhist monk, Phra Methee Wachirodom [th], and his alleged ties to The iCon Group.

Despite initial claims of innocence, Phra Methee Wachirodom later admitted to receiving regular donations from the company and providing sermons.

The allegations against the monk deepened when lawyer Decha Kittivitayanun published evidence of a donation of 1 million baht from The iCon Group to Phra Methee Wachirodom.

[28] In response to the growing public outcry, Amnuayporn Maneewan filed a complaint against Phra Methee Wachirodom, accusing him of aiding and abetting fraud.

Some argue that Phra Methee Wachirodom's actions may not constitute a criminal offense, drawing parallels to celebrities who endorse products without being directly involved in a company's operations.

[29][30] The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) faced criticism after it was revealed that they had previously awarded a trophy to The iCon Group.

He explained that this decision was made to prevent negatively impacting others involved in the production and because he believes viewers can differentiate between the drama and the actors' real lives.