Former Miss Thailand Panadda 'Boom' Wongphudee has been arrested in Bangkok on charges including public fraud and money laundering, stemming from allegations that she misused donations to her Ongkorn Thamdee Foundation, also known as the Do Good Foundation. The 50-year-old actress and TV presenter, crowned Miss Thailand in 2000, was taken into custody outside her home on Friday.
Wongphudee faces three charges: public fraud, money laundering, and offenses under Thailand's Computer Crime Act. She has denied all wrongdoing. Authorities are currently examining her financial transactions, 17 bank accounts, and assets valued at over $2.4 million. The Do Good Foundation reportedly raised approximately $30 million, but investigators are probing claims that some of these funds were used to purchase properties, including a pool villa in Phuket.
Relief goods donated to the foundation for flood victims were allegedly found stored in a warehouse instead of being distributed. Wongphudee's husband, fitness influencer Atip Anantawan, who also faced a warrant, has surrendered to the police and publicly denied wrongdoing. Wongphudee reportedly told reporters that her husband had deceived her regarding the foundation's financial dealings.
Since her Miss Thailand win, Wongphudee has built a career as an actress, model, and presenter, and has spent nearly two decades engaged in humanitarian work. She maintains a significant presence on social media, where she has shared images and videos of her visits to disaster victims, often contrasting with her public image of a lavish lifestyle.
In response to the scandal, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered a nationwide audit of all registered foundations, stating that no individual should exploit foundations for personal gain through deception or dishonest dealings. The Do Good Foundation appears to be shut down amid the ongoing investigation.