One of Hua Hin's most famous developers, former Brit drugs supremo Darren Oxley, is in the centre of a controversy again after a Russian buyer was allegedly stiffed for the 3 million baht which he put down on an Oxley Home.
It turns out that the land, which the Russian bought through an estate agent in the town, did not belong to Oxley's wife after all and after discovering the 'mistake' the Russian demanded his money back. Needless to say it was not returned.
Oxley's wife was last year sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiracy to murder retired U.S. Marine, Don ''Biffo' Whiting, whose car was firebombed before he was gunned down at his Oxley home in Hua Hin. He had complained Darren Oxley had ripped him off and had instigated legal action against him.
Perhaps the Russian had heard of this because at this stage he is merely suing the agent who, I understand, claims that he passed on the cash to the Oxleys and they won't give it back.
Evidence presented at Mrs. Oxley's trial with the gunmen showed that money to them could be traced back to her account. However Janpen of course got bail, as all influential people do in Hua Hin, to appeal the verdict. So it's business as usual.
During the trial it was claimed that Oxley was the ringleader of the operation and his crew had "lived in fear" of him. He was described as "violent" and "not a man you mess with".
However mysteriously Oxley skipped bail between his guilty verdict and sentencing – and even though a bench warrant was issued South Yorkshire police failed to put a stop notice on him leaving the country.
Requests for information made under the Britain's Freedom of Information Act were met with a no comment by police claiming it was ' an ongoing operational matter'. That suggested he was grassing on other villains or at least had come to sort of deal.
Don Whiting, now 70, remains paralysed and wheelchair bound.
As a foreigner Oxley cannot own land of course and it was claimed that the parcel in question was owned by Janpen, now going under the name Youngyu.
Neither the Russian or the agent were available for comment. But their names will be revealed if a promised private prosecution takes place (Police as usual will not take action).
The guilty verdict does not appear to have affected their life style. From their mansion in Soi 88 – Oxley House, they still put on lavish parties and entertain local dignitaries and some of Hua Hin's growing British criminal fraternity.