In the ever-evolving landscape of politics and business, few stories capture the public’s imagination quite like the tale swirling around Santi Promphat—a former deputy public health minister and deputy leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). Recently, murmurs have surfaced implicating him in a web of controversial real estate dealings centered on the Social Security Office’s (SSO) acquisition of the SKYY9 Centre, nestled on the bustling Rama IX Road. However, Santi, with a stalwart demeanor, has steadfastly denied any such allegations of collusion.
The saga kicked off when eyebrows were raised regarding the involvement of Santi’s son, Pattana Promphat. Pattana is an executive at Watergate Pavilion Co., the company that snapped up the building in 2017 before selling it to another firm. After a series of transactions, the building eventually found its way into the hands of the SSO for the staggering sum of 7 billion baht. This acquisition, enveloped in whispers of backroom dealings and political intrigue, thrust both the Promphats into the spotlight.
Standing resolute against the tide of speculation, Santi declared on Thursday that he had never even conversed with Suchart Chomklin, a fellow PPRP member turned deputy commerce minister and former labour minister. It was during Suchart’s laborious tenure as the labour minister that the SSO allegedly parted with a hefty sum from the Social Security Fund to purchase the prized structure.
In an unexpected twist worthy of a political drama, Suchart retaliated. He engaged a lawyer to slap a defamation suit against two People’s Party (PP) MPs who had dared to publicly suggest his entanglement in the controversial transaction. The price of their insinuations? A cool 50 million baht in damages, a firm testament to Suchart’s resolve to clear his name.
Meanwhile, Santi remained unfazed, adamantly denying any foreknowledge of the SSO’s interest in the building. There was no clandestine political bargaining, no wink-wink nudge-nudge deals, despite what the rumor mill might churn out. Furthermore, Santi distanced himself from AGRE 101 Co, the intermediary that acquired the building from his son’s company for a cool 2 billion baht before selling it to the SSO trust.
Adding a dash of mystery to the unfolding narrative, Santi addressed whispers that the SKYY9 building was once earmarked as the potential headquarters for the PPRP. But, lo and behold, before the dust could settle, foreign investors swooped in with tempting offers, prompting Pattana to make the decision to sell. It was AGRE 101 Co that emerged as a frontrunner during 2019’s auction of interest, a couple of years after Watergate Pavilion Co’s initial purchase from Bangkok Commercial Asset Management (BAM).
Pattana maintains a stance of ignorance over subsequent transactions, asserting neither he nor his company had any involvement in AGRE 101 Co’s subsequent dealings. The knowledge of the building’s flipping to the SSO came as a newsflash to him too, as the storm of controversy engulfed the media.
Despite its prime location, brimming with potential, both father and son tread cautiously when quizzed about the prudence of the SSO’s hefty 7-billion-baht expenditure. Was the price tag overinflated, or did political machinations play a role in inflating its value? The Promphats remain mum, like protagonists in a gripping saga where the truth is always tantalizingly out of reach.
The intrigue continues to thicken as this colorful cast of characters—politicians, businessmen, and investors—all grapple with the specter of suspicion that refuses to fade away. Political drama like this is a riveting reminder of the intricate dance between power and business, a dance that keeps audiences rapt and speculating about what twirl will come next in the SKYY9 spectacle.
It’s shameful how politicians always try to sweep things under the rug. This SKYY9 controversy seems like another classic case of corruption!
Don’t be too quick to judge, Chai. Innocent until proven guilty, remember?
True, Suda, but where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. These irregularities can’t all be coincidences!
It’s interesting to see how political figures leverage business acquisitions to their advantage. This case reeks of exploitation of power, but proving it will be difficult.
Honestly, this is just how politics works. Deals happen and money changes hands. It’s about time people get used to it.
That’s a pretty cynical view, TuktukDriver92. Transparency in government should be a standard, not the exception.
Santi is probably just trying to protect his son. It must be hard to see your family tangled in such mess.
The real issue is, why was the Social Security Office paying such a high price? That’s our money too!
Good point, Ben. We deserve answers, but will we get them?
The intrigue continues! I wouldn’t be surprised if this was made into a drama series someday. It’s too juicy to ignore.
Agreed! The plot twists, the drama. It’s like art imitating life, or is it the other way around?
What about Pattana’s claim of ignorance? Seems too convenient to not know about significant transactions in his own company.
That’s a classic move to avoid accountability. Claim ignorance and hope people buy it.
Why aren’t there stricter laws against such backdoor dealings in politics? The public is always left questioning and never gets solid answers.
Laws only go so far when the powerful write and enforce them in their favor.
I’m still curious about Suchart’s reactions. Suing for defamation is a bold move. Does he have something to hide?
A defamation suit doesn’t mean guilt. It might be his way of protecting himself against false accusations.
I don’t get all this. Why can’t they just tell the truth? It would make everything easier.
They won’t. Power games go way back in history. This is just another chapter in a long book.
Foreign investors snapping up properties isn’t new, but the haste in this transaction raises eyebrows.
Politics and business have always been intertwined. But this particular case seems to stretch the boundaries of legality.
The fact that such deals become public knowledge sometimes is pretty telling. Maybe, just maybe, the system is self-correcting, albeit slowly.
What a tangled web of politics and greed! It’s like peeling an onion, layers upon layers of secrecy.
If these allegations are true, it’s a reminder of how deeply flawed our political system can be.