‘Tuhao’ acquitted of money-laundering and drug charges

reported triangle boss, ex-police official wife, and 17 others are subject to lack of evidence, according to the court.

Chinese businessman Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant, then 40, is seen in a police van after turning himself in on Nov 23, 2022. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)
Foreign business Chaiyanat” Tuhao” Kornchayanant, next 40, is seen in a police vehicle after turning himself in on Nov 23, 2022. ( Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya )

Foreign business Chaiyanat” Tuhao” Kornchayanant has been acquitted, along with his former police officer partner and 17 others, on charges of organised international crime, money-laundering and medicine offences, on grounds of inadequate evidence.

Following Mr. Chaiyanat’s well-known incarceration more than two years ago, the Bangkok South Criminal Court handed down the decision on Tuesday in the case brought by the prosecution. All told, there were 25 defendants, including five companies, facing many fees.

The charges included narcotics offences, money-laundering, membership in a transnational criminal company, unlawful possession of firearms and bullets, improper functioning of entertainment venues, and work and lodging of illegal migrants.

All plaintiffs and their attorneys were present in the court, where speakers were ordered for Chinese listeners.

Mr Chaiyanat, 42, became a premier believe after authorities on Oct 26, 2022 raided the Jinling Pub on Charoen Rat Road in Bangkok. Drug testing came up good in 104 customers, 99 of them Foreign nationals.

The previous massage parlor tycoon and politician turned crusader Chuvit Kamolvisit tipped off the bar after the raid. Authorities later discovered a large website of illegal actions said to be linked to Mr. Chaiyanat equipped with different materials provided by Mr. Chuvit. Several other arrests followed.

The alleged triac manager turned himself in on November 23, 2022, after the Bangkok South Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest on drug trafficking fees.

Mr. Chaiyanat denied all of the costs, but the jury foreclosed on his release and he has since been in police custody. His ex-wife, who was the daughter of a previous Yingluck Shinawatra government minister and regional police officer, had been free on bail in the amount of 2 million ringgit since December 2022.

Pol Col Wanthanaree Kornchayanant, a former official in the international affairs sub-division of the Royal Thai Police, was among the 18 plaintiffs acquitted on Tuesday.

Following inquiries into her alleged role with Taiwanese groups and the drug industry, she and five other soldiers were fired from the police force.

Mr. Chaiyanat has since started a number of companies in Thailand after immigrating there for more than 20 years. Before his imprisonment, he led a beautiful life, living in a 200-million-baht palace in Bangkok and holding Thai nationality. As a Thai resident, he also donated 3 million baht to the Palang Pracharath Party.

Because prosecutors couldn’t establish a causal link between the alleged drug deal and the restaurant raid, the jury decided on Tuesday that all 25 accused in the case were not guilty of cash laundering. The jury’s verdict was given to all accused by the judge.

However, the jury did convict three of supplying drugs and arms, as well as three people of facilitating and facilitating unlawful activity. All received words of 23-29 times and charges of 1.7 million to 2.8 million ringgit.