Bangkok: An engineer has filed a complaint against a lawyer for allegedly using a seized vehicle without returning it to the finance company, resulting in the client’s house being seized.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Thanakun Jittisara, President of Santi Prachadham Club, and Ms. Chalida Phalamat, President of Pen-Nung Foundation, accompanied Mr. Wisit, age 43, to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) to file charges. The case revolves around the lawyer’s alleged actions in taking a seized car belonging to Mr. Wisit, a former client, and failing to return it to the financier as ordered by the court. This failure allegedly led to the financier seizing additional assets belonging to Mr. Wisit.
Mr. Thanakun stated that the incident began when Mr. Wisit, misled by the lawyer’s reputation, sought legal assistance for resolving a dispute over a financed motorcycle. The finance company had taken legal action against Mr. Wisit, prompting him to hire the lawyer for a fee of 25,000 baht, which was later increase
d to 30,000 baht when installment payments were requested. After the court ruled that Mr. Wisit return the motorcycle and pay the outstanding amount, he entrusted the lawyer to handle the vehicle’s return. However, the lawyer reportedly used the motorcycle himself, leading to the financier seizing Mr. Wisit’s house.
Mr. Wisit recounted that despite repeated inquiries about the vehicle’s status, he discovered the lawyer had been driving it and that it was still in the lawyer’s possession, not at the office as claimed. The vehicle was returned with mechanical issues, necessitating repairs before it could be sold to settle the debt and prevent the house seizure. Mr. Wisit also had to borrow money to reclaim his house, resulting in financial loss and damage to his credit.
The case has prompted Mr. Thanakun to announce plans to file an ethics complaint against the lawyer with the Lawyers Council, seeking accountability for the alleged misconduct.