An investigation by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has found that most of the signatures on 33 loan contracts companies signed to borrow money from the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC) were forged.
The loan contracts involved 28 companies.
Most of the contracts had forged signatures, and for some no borrowing of money actually took place, Pol Lt Col Somboon Sarasit, the head of the DSI’s Bureau of Special Crime 3, said.
The examination of the loan contracts was carried out to try and find links to the 878 cashier cheques worth 1.9 million baht withdrawn by former KCUC chairman Supachai Srisupa-aksorn from the cooperative.
"Two or three companies have pointed out that their signatures were forged and an investigation is under way to determine the loss," said Pol Lt Col Somboon. "Some firms were found to be owned by Mr Supachai."
Progress has been made in the investigation, he said, adding that the DSI is likely to wrap up the probe and seek indictments after Songkran.
He said the DSI has yet to specify the date when Wat Phra Dhammakaya's abbot Phra Dhammachayo has to testify with the department's officers in connection with the KCUC embezzlement scandal.
The temple made headlines after Mr Supachai allegedly transferred 684 million baht from the cooperative's fund to the temple and Phra Dhammachayo.
Pol Lt Col Pakorn Suchivakul, head of the DSI team following the money trail in the case, will be the one who decides when the abbot has to testify, according to Pol Lt Col Somboon.
He said the DSI will also summon Alisa Asavabhokhin, daughter of property tycoon Anant Asavabhokhin, for questioning after she bought eight land plots in Pathum Thani’s Khlong Luang district from Mr Supachai, who allegedly used embezzled money to buy the land.
The DSI's screening committee will also look into the case in which a former monk at Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Sathaporn Wattanasirinukul, allegedly received 127 million baht from Mr Supachai, he said.
This is a separate money-laundering case, which the DSI board will decide whether or not to pursue.
Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said yesterday he has given the DSI the power to independently probe the case.