The nephew of National Counter Corruption Commission member Wicha Mahakhun was arrested by Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials for tax evasion on wine imports worth over Bt300 million.

DSI deputy chief Tharit Pengdit said that Cannon Pacific Co executive Ekkachai Mahakhun was arrested on May 9 in Bangkok's Bang Kapi district but he would give testimony in court only.

He was granted bail with a Bt1 million asset deposit.

Lower prices

Ekkachai had allegedly declared lower prices on wine to avoid tax on 84 imports of French wine for sale

at malls from 2003 to 2006, Tharit said.

This was punishable by up to 10 years in jail and/or a fine worth four times worth the avoided taxes, he said.

However, the suspect could negotiate with the Customs Department for a lower fine rate, he added. Ekkachai will talk to DSI officials and public prosecutors today.

Wicha confirmed that Ekkachai was his nephew but he would not interfere with the investigation and let officials proceed with the case.

Wicha said he had nothing to do with his nephew's business.

The DSI also announced that this case of customs tax avoidance was part of its attempt to get billions of tax money back to the country.

A previous success concerned five cases of silicon and steel bars worth over Bt1 billion in total, which was currently was under the tax evaluation by the Customs Department, Tharit added.

XTRA

Tax evasion charge

>> Ekkachai Mahakhun was arrested for tax evasion.

>> He allegedly declared lower prices on wine to avoid tax.

>> He was granted bail with a

Bt1-million asset deposit.