At 9:00 AM on May 28, the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road acquitted Senator Upakit Pachariyangkun of all six charges in case number Black Y.1445/2566. Prosecutors had charged him with conspiracy to launder money, direct involvement in money laundering, participation in a transnational criminal organization, and supporting or conspiring in serious drug-related offenses.
Upakit arrived at the court at 8:30 AM to hear the verdict. The court ruled that the evidence presented by prosecutors did not prove his involvement in money laundering or drug trafficking either domestically or internationally. The accusations stemmed from the arrest of drug dealers who transferred money through 22 bank accounts. However, no evidence showed that Upakit was aware of or participated in the operations.
The court addressed a chat between Upakit and Tun Min Latt, a drug suspect in another case previously dismissed. The chat discussed a 30-million-baht electricity payment for Tachileik, Myanmar, through the Provincial Electricity Authority in Mae Sai. The transaction was deemed unrelated to drug operations, as drug-related transfers were typically smaller (500,000 to 1 million baht), and the border closure during COVID-19 led to the use of personal accounts for cross-border payments.
After the ruling, Upakit told reporters that his legal team successfully refuted all accusations and that he had endured emotional suffering for three years over baseless charges. He criticized MP Rangsiman Rome of the Move Forward Party for allegedly presenting false evidence during a parliamentary debate. Upakit pledged to pursue legal action for justice, pending finalization of the case.
He also stated that he is returning the label "influential senator" used against him back to Rome and the Progressive Party, emphasizing that this ruling shows he had no connection to the crimes. Upakit also noted that he has known Tun Min Latt for over a decade through professional ties and believes Tun Min Latt is also innocent. He warned that modern politicians must speak responsibly and be accountable to society.