Bangkok: The court dismissed the case against former Pol. Lt. Col. Upakit Pajariyangkun, ruling that the evidence presented by the plaintiff failed to prove criminal activity on his part.

According to Thai News Agency, the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road announced the verdict in Case No. Y.1445/2566. The Attorney General had indicted Mr. Upakit Pajariyangkun, a former senator, on charges that included colluding to launder money, participating in a transnational crime organization, and involvement in narcotics-related offenses. The charges encompassed six offenses, such as distributing Category 2 psychotropic substances without permission and money laundering.

Mr. Upakit was implicated in a drug and money laundering operation alongside Mr. Minlat, a Burmese national arrested by Thai police for similar offenses in September 2022. The Attorney General, responsible for extraterritorial cases, appointed Deputy Attorney General Watcharin Phanurat and other officials to investigate and submit findings to the Office of the Attorney General for Narcotics Cases. The Attorney General had previously advised proceeding with an indictment.

During the trial, Mr. Upakit was granted temporary release with a 10,000,000 baht bail and a condition barring him from leaving the country without court approval. On the day of the verdict, he appeared in court with his legal counsel.

The court found insufficient evidence linking Mr. Upakit to the transfer of funds from the investigated account for drug-related activities to cover an electricity bill at the Mae Sai Provincial Electricity Authority. The court noted the absence of clear evidence identifying the account user.

A chat between Mr. Upakit and Mr. Minlat was presented, showing a conversation about an electricity bill and friendly banter, with no mention of drugs. The defendant had agreed to transfer funds through Shwe Shin Po Company, an international money exchange firm, to pay the electricity bill, without knowledge of the specific account used.

The court concluded that the evidence did not support claims that Mr. Upakit was involved in money laundering, drug trafficking, or a transnational crime organization. Consequently, the court dismissed the case.