‘Patt’ declares her innocence after being freed on bail
THE RATCHADAPISEK CRIMINAL COURT granted bail to actress Napapa “Patt” Tantrakul on Monday after she turned herself in to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) to face charges of conspiracy to launder money.
Meanwhile, NSB chief Pol Lt-General Sommai Kongwisaisuk hinted to reporters that more Thai celebrities might be involved in drugs, including entertainers who consumed illicit substances to lose weight.
Napapa, looking tense and unaccompanied by her motorbike star husband Akarakit “Benz Racing” Worarojcharoendet, arrived at NSB headquarters at 9am and was met by a large number of reporters. She made no comment before entering the building to meet police.
Following the acknowledgement of the charges and an initial interrogation, the actress was brought to the court as authorities applied for an initial 12-day detention period lasting until May 26 while the investigation proceeds.
Her lawyer Arkhom Khongsawat pledged Bt500,000 as collateral to apply for her release on bail, which the court granted in the afternoon. The court also ordered her to report back to court on July 3, the lawyer said.
Following her release, Napapa asked the public to believe in her, saying she had not done anything wrong and had not known the origins of the money.
NSB chief Sommai said police had clear evidence against Napapa, adding that she was still a suspect.
