Housekeeper Rejects Inheritance From French Woman's Estate
A French woman who died from a gunshot wound in a luxury Koh Samui villa in April 2024 left over 100 million baht to her Thai housekeeper, who has rejected most of the inheritance and continues working as a domestic helper.
On September 6, authorities reported that a French national, Catherine, died from a gunshot wound on April 28, 2024, inside a luxury villa worth over 50 million baht in Mae Num Subdistrict, Koh Samui District, Surat Thani Province. Before her death, Catherine left a will bequeathing assets worth over 100 million baht to her close Thai housekeeper, commonly known as Pai.
The Centre for Suppressing Transnational Crime and Illegal Entry, Surat Thani Provincial Police, working with the military's fourth regional task force investigating illegal land encroachment, discovered irregularities in land ownership and business operations. The investigation revealed that Catherine arrived in Thailand in 2007 and later had a law office establish Maxiket Company Limited in 2012 without genuine Thai investor participation. She used company funds to purchase 1.2 rai of land for 2.7 million baht and constructed five villas named "Coconut" through GVN.E Company Limited for sale and long-term rental. The companies consistently operated at a loss and never paid taxes, with Catherine eventually becoming the sole director.
The Surat Thani Provincial Police investigation unit, led by Deputy Inspector Kittisak Charoenkup of Surat Thani City Police Station, has submitted charges recommending prosecution. The case charges GVN.E Company Limited and Maxiket Company Limited with operating as a foreign national in land business through a nominee company, and charges two other individuals with facilitating illegal foreign business operations. Catherine was not charged due to her death.
Regarding the inheritance valued at over 100 million baht, it remains legally restricted pending court proceedings. Despite being named as the heir and called a millionaire by associates, Pai continues living simply, working as a domestic worker for a French family each morning. She stated that the most important thing is not money but the 17-year bond of care she shared with Catherine. Of the inheritance, she has used only 500,000 baht that Catherine left specifically for funeral expenses, which she arranged respectfully. The remainder is reserved for villa maintenance, utilities averaging 10,000 baht monthly, dog care, and merit-making for her former employer. She has not touched the rest of the inheritance and has requested no further media contact, desiring a quiet life free from disturbance.
