The agency is a victim of alleged embezzlement and the issuing of ‘dud’ cheques, which led to losses of more than Bt2.5 billion, according to OTEPC secretary-general Pinitsak Suwanrang.

Billion Innovated Group owner Samrit “Sia Big” Bunditkrit-sada – also head of Police United, a Thai Premier League soccer club – has been accused of borrowing over Bt2.5 billion illegally from the OTEPC teachers’ pension fund. He was in detention at Bangkok Remand Prison, as per a court order, as of press time last night.

Police yesterday brought Samrit for further interrogation about illegal transactions and invited Amlo secretary-general Pol Col Sihanart Prayoonrat to attend and investigate the transactions.

Samrit made a partial confession, admitting some facts but denying others, deputy city police commissioner Pol Maj General Jaruwat Vaisaya said.

Police also got a warrant to search Samrit’s house in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area, he added.

AMLO has seized Bt800m

Samrit’s legal team had claimed that he was threatened while detained at Dusit Police Station on Monday night. Jaruwat said that if this had happened the team could testify about it so police could investigate. He said Samrit’s fear that he would be assaulted in prison was unlikely, as Corrections officials would be on hand to provide care.

Sihanart said the interrogation yesterday was for extra information in regard to transactions, and Samrit gave full cooperation. He declined to give details. Sihanart said AMLO had seized assets worth Bt800 million from Samrit so far. Asked if the allegedly embezzled money was spent on buying the football club, Sihanart declined to comment until further investigation results are known.