Court allows Benz Racing extension of bail

Akarakit "Benz Racing" Worarojcharoendet, centre, at the Narcotics Suppression Bureau in Bangkok in March (file photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd)

The Criminal Court approved a police request on Monday for the fifth extension of the detention of Akarakit "Benz Racing" Worarojcharoendet for investigation on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to launder drug funds, and again allowed him bail.

A confident Mr Akarakit told waiting reporters he must report to the court again on May 5, and intended to prove his innocence.

The first 12-day detention of the 30-year-old suspect started on March 6, when he was released on bail of 500,000 baht and ordered not to leave the country without court approval. Police can apply to extend his detention seven times.

Mr Akarakit faced reporters with a smile and said: "We have been doing business and acquiring things honestly. If police doubt any part of this we will present more evidence, in addition to what was already given."

The big bike shop was his main business but he also had many sidelines, said Mr Akarakit, whose wife is actress Napapa "Patt" Tantrakul, 30.

Mr Akarakit faced charges after police decided he was unable to properly explain his acquisition of luxury vehicles including a Lamborghini Gallardo, a KTM 1290 Super Duke motorbike and a BMW motorcycle.

Police said his income from his bike accessories shop was not adequate for him to afford the 20-million-baht Lamborghini, which they believed was acquired with money from the network of alleged Lao drug cartel leader Xaysana Keopimpha.

Mr Akarakit's financial records showed he had to pay 250,000 baht in monthly installments for the Lamborghini.

Investigators also found 300,000 baht had been wired to his account each month by Natthaphol "Boy" Nakkham, one of the suspects in the Xaysana case. They suspect Mr Natthaphol wired the money to Mr Akarakit's account to pay for the car, giving him the extra as payment for posing as the owner, instead of Mr Natthaphol.