Society Questions Transparency of Kan Jom Phalang Foundation Amid Asset Transfer Controversy

Bangkok: Society is raising questions about the "Kan Jom Phalang Foundation," which has not included the founder's name in its title and has stipulated conditions for transferring assets to the Thammanat Prompao Foundation upon dissolution. According to Thai News Agency, Kan Jom Phalang admitted that while his name was not on the foundation, he was responsible for establishing it with the intent to aid people. The foundation, registered on February 5, 2025, is run by a team including a chairman, treasurer, and secretary, as per the registrar's structure. Kan Jom Phalang stated that he would not hold an official position due to frequent travel commitments, delegating responsibilities to a trusted team member instead. The controversy centers on Section 39 of the foundation's regulations, which states that if dissolved, all assets would transfer to the Thammanat Prompao Foundation. Kan Jom Phalang explained that this was a default requirement by the registrar, and he initially was unaware of other foundations to name. In light of the controversy, he has instructed his team to move the assets to a more reliable foundation. The revelation has alarmed the public, particularly donors like Mr. Nawat Itsarakraisil, who felt misled about the ownership and purpose of the foundation. He voiced his frustration on social media after donating 50,000 baht under the belief it was for public benefit. Legal experts have weighed in on the matter. Lawyer Naraset Na Nongtum highlighted that any change in the asset recipient requires a board resolution, as per Article 38 of the foundation's regulations. This power is exclusively held by the Board of Directors, not the foundation's advisors. Lawyer Kerdphol Kaewkerd addressed concerns about potential fraud, noting that fraud requires intent to deceive. If there was no initial intent to defraud, simply not disclosing all facts does not constitute fraud under the law. The legal focus remains on determining whether there was any corrupt intent behind the foundation's actions. Attorne y Decha Kittiwittayanan called for an investigation into the foundation's transparency and fund management. He emphasized that most foundations operate with the intent to help, but proper use of funds must be ensured. Decha questioned the foundation's operational structure, suggesting that committee members may merely be nominees if Kan Jom Phalang is uninvolved. In response to the controversy, the "Kan Jom Phalang Chuay Sue Foundation" announced a press conference on October 24th to clarify donation-related issues. It is anticipated that Kan Jom Phalang will address public concerns about the foundation's transparency and financial practices.