Court Acquits Alleged Triad Boss and 18 Others Due to Insufficient Evidence
In a significant legal ruling, a Bangkok court has acquitted Chinese businessman Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant, his former police officer wife, and 17 co-defendants on multiple serious charges including organized transnational crime, money laundering, and drug offenses due to insufficient evidence.
The Bangkok South Criminal Court delivered its verdict on Tuesday, concluding a case that followed the high-profile arrest of Mr. Chaiyanat over two years ago. A total of 25 defendants, including five companies, faced a range of charges from narcotics offenses to illegal possession of firearms and operation of unlawful entertainment venues.
The courtroom was filled with all defendants and their legal representatives, with interpreters available for Chinese speakers. Mr. Chaiyanat, now 42, emerged as a primary suspect following a police raid on the Jinling Pub in Bangkok on October 26, 2022, where drug tests indicated positive results for 104 patrons, predominantly Chinese nationals.
The raid was initiated based on intel from former massage parlour mogul and politician Chuvit Kamolvisit, leading to the discovery of an extensive illegal enterprise allegedly connected to Mr. Chaiyanat, resulting in numerous subsequent arrests.
After a warrant was issued for his arrest on drug trafficking charges, Mr. Chaiyanat turned himself in on November 23, 2022. He denied all allegations while remaining in custody since the court denied him bail. His ex-wife, who is related to a former police chief, had been granted 2 million baht bail since December 2022.
Among the acquitted individuals was Pol Col Wanthanaree Kornchayanant, a former officer in the Royal Thai Police’s foreign affairs division, who was dismissed along with five other officers over suspicions of involvement with illicit gangs and drug activities.
Having lived in Thailand for over 20 years, Mr. Chaiyanat previously led an extravagant lifestyle, residing in a mansion valued at 200 million baht. He even contributed 3 million baht to a political party as a Thai national.
The court ruled that prosecutors failed to establish conclusive links between the alleged drug operations and the pub raid, favoring the defendants with reasonable doubt. Nevertheless, the court convicted three defendants of narcotics and weapons offenses, as well as three for aiding criminal activities, handing down sentences ranging from 23 to 29 years and fines between 1.7 million to 2.8 million baht.
