Panama Papers scandal prompts quick action by Thai AMLO

Thailand reacted promptly to the "Panama Papers" scandal with the Anti Money Laundering Office (AMLO) saying it will seek coordination from foreign anti money laundering sources for information of Thais on the list if they were engaged in money laundering offshore or not.

AMLO advisor Pol Col Sihanart Prayoonrat said any further information received will be revealed at a press conference on April 8.

AFP reported that the Panama scandal erupted on Sunday when media groups began revealing the results of a year-long investigation into a trove of 11.5 million documents from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, which specialises in creating offshore shell companies.

The scandal triggered tax evasion probes by several countries after a massive leak of confidential documents lifted the lid on the murkey offshore financial dealings of a slew of politicians and celebrities.

Among those named in the “Panama Papers” are close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin, relatives of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Iceland’s Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, as well as Barcelona striker Lionel Messi.

Twenty one names of Thai nationals are said to be among the list. They are linked to 963 companies.

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