DSI urged to probe 'dodgy' funeral fund

Payouts totalling B1.4bn 'not paid'

- POST REPORTERS

More than 100 Maha Sarakham residents have complained to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), calling for a probe into the Wapi Pathum Funeral Welfare Association and the Wapi Pathum Welfare Fund, claiming the organisations had defaulted on funeral payouts totalling 1.4 billion baht.

Victims fear they may be operating as a Ponzi scheme.

According to petitioners, the associations required members to continue monthly contributions through their heirs after a member's death in order to claim the promised funeral benefit of 400,000 baht.

However, despite continued payments, thousands of families reportedly received nothing. Many now feel abandoned, having received no justice despite filing police complaints. The Region 4 Prosecutor's Office declined to make an indictment, citing insufficient evidence, according to the petitioners.