Chinese business tycoon Chaiyanat Kornchayanant is due to appear before public prosecutors on Thursday, after he was released from prison following his acquittal of money laundering and narcotics trafficking by the Bangkok South Criminal Court yesterday.
Chaiyanat, who is known locally as ‘Tu Hao’, was charged by Yan Nawa district police, immediately after his release from prison today, for organising illegal gambling activities.
He was released and ordered to report to the public prosecutor in charge of the illegal gambling case tomorrow.
Chaiyanat was among 19 defendants who were acquitted by the court yesterday of criminal association, being members of a transnational organised criminal network, money laundering and narcotic trafficking charges. Six co-defendants were, however, convicted of narcotics trafficking and abetting narcotics trafficking and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 21 to 28 years.
Meanwhile, former massage parlour tycoon-turned whistle blower, Chuvit Kamolvisit, blamed police for mistakes in the Chaiyanat case, beginning with the raid of the Jinling pub over two years ago, incomplete collection of evidence and loss of some important evidence related to narcotics trafficking.
Also, he noted that there was a conflict between the police, public prosecutors and officials from the Office of Narcotic Control Board, adding that, “This case should serve as a reminder that if the origin of justice is distorted, it will affect the end result of the case.”
Meanwhile, former deputy police chief, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, said that the acquittal of Chaiyanat was not unexpected, due to weak evidence.
He suggested that reporters talk to Pol Lt-Gen Thiti Saengsawang, who was assigned to oversee the case by then police chief, Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat.
He said that no one believed him then when he said the evidence was weak and he was barred, by the police chief, from interfering in the case.
He then cited the successful prosecutions of Praween Chanklai, who was charged with the murder of a highway police officer in Nakhon Pathom, and Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, who was found guilty of cyanide poisoning, which he had handled personally.
