Former WDT Vice President Clears Name in Donation Probe
Former Watchdog Thailand Foundation vice president Rattiyya has gone to police to deny involvement in alleged donation mismanagement, luxury purchases, and financial misconduct at the animal welfare organization. She says she resigned in August before the issues arose and was responsible only for field operations, not finances. She is calling for a full investigation by police and the Anti-Money Laundering Office to identify the true culprits.
The Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT) has come under intense public scrutiny over allegations of donation mismanagement, including reports that funds were used to purchase luxury brands and high-end vehicles. At 12:30 p.m. on November 10 at Nong Suea Police Station, former WDT vice president Rattiyya met with investigators to clear her name and clarify her role in the organization. She stated she had volunteered with the foundation for nearly ten years, initially filing complaints on animal cruelty cases before being invited to join the board in 2024.
Rattiyya said she resigned on August 8 after deciding to establish her own foundation due to differing operational approaches. On August 10, WDT posted about structural changes and corruption allegations, which she felt implied her involvement. On August 28, the foundation filed a police report against parties linked to the incident, but both sides later reached a mutual understanding that she was not involved.
She emphasized that during her tenure as a board member, she had no involvement with donation funds or administrative systems. The three-person board comprised a president, a director, and a treasurer; she was responsible solely for field operations and legal proceedings, while finances fell under the treasurer's purview. Regarding allegations of personal spending on luxury goods and vehicles, she noted that police reports have already been filed and urged authorities to investigate. She also plans to petition the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to audit the foundation's operations and identify those responsible for financial opacity. Rattiyya suggested temporarily shutting down the foundation to allow a full investigation, after which innocent parties could resume animal welfare work. She expressed shock and disappointment at being linked to the controversy by individuals she once trusted.
