Chiang Rai: A young man in Chiang Rai has filed a complaint against “The Icon” after his father invested heavily in the company, experiencing severe financial losses that ultimately led to his suicide. The incident has sparked a wave of similar complaints from residents in the upper northern provinces, with total damages reported to exceed 77 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Phongsaphan, aged 23, submitted evidence to local investigators, detailing how his father, Mr. Thanapong, invested his savings in The Icon starting in 2017. The financial strain led to family disputes and the eventual dissolution of Mr. Thanapong’s marriage. The family’s assets, including savings, a house, and three cars, were lost, and Mr. Phongsaphan and his sister were unable to continue their studies. In April 2020, Mr. Thanapong took his own life. This tragedy prompted Mr. Phongsaphan to compile evidence against The Icon, which investigators have accepted as part of the ongoing legal process.
In Chiang Rai Province
alone, 62 complaints have been filed, with damages amounting to an estimated 18 million baht. Across the upper northern region, a total of 258 individuals have reportedly fallen victim to The Icon’s financial dealings.
Commander of Division 2, Police Operations Division, Region 5, Pol. Col. Suthida Smitthikrai, reported that people from eight provinces, including Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, Mae Hong Son, and Uttaradit, have continuously filed complaints against The Icon’s executives. Chiang Mai leads with the highest number of complaints at 89, accounting for damages up to 28 million baht.
In Ubon Ratchathani Province, authorities have been actively receiving complaints, with 27 victims reporting damages totaling over 7 million baht within just three days of opening the complaint center. The Ubon Ratchathani City Police Station has deployed 42 investigators to handle these cases around the clock. Police have urged victims to prepare necessary documents and evidence to exped
ite the investigative process.