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Thonburi Healthcare Chairman Reported Over Pfizer Claims

Boon Vanasin, Thonburi Healthcare Group Plc (THG)’s chairman, has been accused of manipulating stocks and spreading false news about allegedly procuring Pfizer vaccines.

Achariya Ruangratanapong, non-government Help Crime Victim Club’s head, filed the complaint with the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), accusing Dr. Boon of violating the cybercrime law.

The complaint comes after the THG’s chairman said that he had reached an agreement to acquire 20 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to be administered to his hospitals’ groups.

Dr. Boon declined to elaborate on the alleged agreement. However, the vaccine manufacturer denied having been in talks with the healthcare group.

The physician-businessman also claimed that his group and other government agencies sought to import Pfizer jabs. Again, he did not elaborate on the progress but mentioned a government organization.

Referring to the Defense Ministry, Mr. Achariya said the organization subsequently denied a vaccine deal with THG.

Mr. Achariya claimed that Dr. Boon had planned to use fake news to increase the company’s stock prices, which rose 13% after his remarks.

“Fake news was spread for personal gains and benefits of the group,” the Help Crime Victim Club’s head stated.

CCIB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Kornchai Klaiklueng said his division would verify the case before talking with involved parties to decide whether it had ground.

On Wednesday, THG said in a statement to Thailand’s Stock Exchange that it had never mentioned having a deal with the Defense Ministry to purchase vaccines.

THG insisted that it had signed a cooperation agreement with a government agency, adding that its identity would be disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

But the agency has not placed the order to date.

THG’s response came a day after a news outlet identified the ministry as its partner in the deal.

The Defense Ministry also said that it had no vaccine agreement with the private sector.

On Thursday, THG’s shares remained unchanged at 28.25 baht each in trades worth 81.8 million baht.