Actor embroiled in KMITL case
Actor Pakorn "Boy" Chatborirak said he bought the Lamborghini in good faith and had no knowledge of any links to the Bt1.474 billion embezzlement and theft from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Latkrabang (KMITL).
Pakorn, meanwhile, produced the car purchase documents and related papers to explain his income sources to AMLO, the office’s chief Pol Colonel Sihanart Prayoonrat said.
He claimed to have purchased the car from Pada Buakhao, a suspect in the KMITL embezzlement case. If it turns out that Pakorn had bought the car with his own cash in good faith, the car will be returned to him, Sihanart said.
AMLO would gather all evidence for its transaction committee to decide whether to take the car as the state’s item or release it to the actor on February 11, he added.
Pakorn explained to the media that he bought the car from suspect Pada Buakhao for only Bt13.5 million. A similar Lamborghini model on the market would be valued at Bt17.8 million if brand-new. The price of Bt13.5 million for this second-hand car wasn’t usual, he said, adding that he had checked to confirm the car was imported properly before signing the purchase contract.
Pakorn said he wanted the car back because he bought it with his own money, but also said he would cooperate with the authorities.
Evidence was also given that a man claiming to be an AMLO official had duped a victim to wire Bt1.6 million on six occasions to avoid punishment. Sihanart urged the public to be aware of such opportunists and said AMLO would not contact people over the phone, but issue a formal letter.
Meanwhile, Crime Suppression Division deputy chief Pol Col Nos Sawetlek said Kittisak’s sister Jutharat Padpai was released on Tuesday after police said they could not link her to the case.
Jutharat’s husband, Jakkri, and five others would later explain about the money they received from suspects Kittisak, Songklod Sriprasong and Poonsak Boonsawat. Nos said police would also ask for Pakorn’s testimony to AMLO to use in the investigation.
Police spokesman Pol Lt-General Prawut Thavornsiri said police yesterday submitted the KMITL case to the attorney-general to ask for an extradition arrest warrant for Kittisak – who was believed to be lying low in the UK. This warrant would later become a “red” arrest warrant under international law, he added.
