Koh phangan: Police on the resort island of Koh Phangan have pressed multiple criminal charges against a British national following a fatal hit-and-run that killed a prominent Thai doctor, while a subsequent probe uncovered an illegal nominee business network. The suspect, 51-year-old Duncan Wilcock, was summoned by investigators to face seven severe charges, including drunk driving causing death, reckless driving, hit-and-run, and illegal cocaine consumption. The charges were upgraded following the June 7 death of Associate Professor Dr. Teerasak Kaew-amatawong, 53, a respiratory specialist who succumbed to injuries sustained when Wilcock's motorcycle collided with him on May 23. Police will seek a detention order for Wilcock at the Koh Samui Provincial Court.
According to Thai News Agency, a widening investigation into Wilcock's activities also revealed he was operating an unauthorized boat charter firm, Reef Charter Co Ltd, using a Thai nominee. A Thai national listed as the majority shareholder confessed to investigators that he was merely a hired captain who never invested capital but had handed over his documents for employment purposes.
Wilcock confessed to four additional corporate charges, including making false statements to officials and operating a restricted tourism business without a permit. Authorities added that the local accounting firm used to set up the business had already been targeted in a crackdown on foreign nominee networks on May 23.