Thread: Chinese businessman Tuhao nd 40 others indicted on multiple charges

Chinese businessman Chaiyanat Kornchayanant, aka “Tuhao”, and 40 other suspects, several of whom are Chinese nationals, were indicted today (Thursday) on multiple charges, including drug trafficking and money laundering, at the Bangkok South Criminal Court.


The move comes after the attorney-general, Naree Tantasathien, gave the greenlight for prosecutors to indict all 41 suspects on charges ranging from criminal association with multinational criminal gangs, drug trafficking, money laundering, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, operating an entertainment venue without permission and hiring foreigners, to working without work permits and providing shelter to illegal immigrants.


Former massage parlour tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit played a key role in exposing what he described as “grey” Chinese businesses in Thailand, allegedly operated by Kornchayanant and his network.


Chuwit has been exposing “grey” business operations since the police raid on the Jinling pub, in Yan Nawa district of Bangkok, on October 26th last year, during which 104 customers, most of them Chinese tourists, tested positive for illicit drug use. The pub was traced to Kornchayanant, who reportedly held majority stakes in 22 companies.


Kornchayanant has denied any link to illicit drug use at the pub.


Police investigations into the pub and its allegedly illegal activities, led by Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief, have expanded to include more businesses owned by Kornchayanant.


Property worth more than five billion baht, allegedly owned by Kornchayanant and his network, has been impounded.

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Chaiyanat now faces illegal gambling charge

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.

Chaiyanat now faces illegal gambling charge