Motorcycle racer Akarakit “Benz Racing” Worarojcharoendet formally pleaded not guilty on Monday to laundering money.
His lawyer, Sitthichok Trinet, said he was prepared to post Bt3 million in cash as bail.
Prosecutors on Friday decided to indict Akarakit, Sansern Rasanont, 25, and Angsuporn Inna, 29, for allegedly laundering drug money and conspiring to launder money on behalf of accused Lao drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpa. The three also face charges under the Measures for Suppression of Narcotic Offenders Act of abetting drug-related offences and accepting assets in return.
Before entering the courtroom, Akarakit repeated to reporters that he had nothing to do with drug trafficking and intended to clear his name regarding related money transactions.
In the months since the allegations emerged, Akarakit has never been held in custody. He remained free through seven detention-request periods prior to the indictment, on Bt500,000 bail and on condition he not leave the country without the court’s permission.
