Brit in doctor's death case also faces nominee business charges

Collision with highly respected doctor lead to suspect's nominee activities

PUBLISHED : 8 Jun 2026 at 17:53

The British motorcyclist charged in the death of a prominent doctor on Koh Phangan will also face charges of running a tour boat business through a Thai nominee.

The suspect, Duncan Wilcock, 51, has already been charged with reckless driving causing serious injury, fleeing the scene of an accident, driving without a valid licence, operating an unregistered vehicle without compulsory insurance, drug use and driving under the influence of alcohol causing serious injury.

The charges have now been upgraded to reckless driving causing death.

The victim, Assoc Prof Dr Theerasuk Kawamatawong, 53, was pronounced dead at Ramathibodhi Hospital on Sunday.

The doctor had suffered severe brain trauma after allegedly being struck by Mr Wilcock's motorcycle on the night of May 23.

- Nominee business investigation -

Koh Phangan police expanded their investigation to include the suspect’s business activities.

They allege Mr Wilcock set up a nominee structure to illegally operate a tour boat business.

He was a shareholder in Reef Charter Co Ltd. The company had one managing director, identified as Jamnong Rungruang, who later admitted he was merely a boat driver occasionally hired by Mr Wilcock.

Although company records showed two shareholders, Mr Wilcock (49%) and Mr Jamnong (51%), Mr Jamnong allegedly said he had not actually invested in the business. He had  allowed his documents to be used in the belief it was related to his employment.

Four additional nominee-related charges against Mr Wilcock include submitting false information to authorities, operating a tourism business restricted to Thai nationals, allowing a Thai national to assist in a prohibited foreign business, and operating a business without proper permission.

According to police investigators, the suspect confessed to all charges during questioning.

Further investigation revealed that Ameena Accounting Phangan Co Ltd was involved in establishing the nominee structure. The accounting firm was reportedly part of a broader network previously targeted in a crackdown on foreign nominee businesses on May 23.

Police said the investigation was continuing, along with legal action against all involved parties.