Actress Napapa "Patt" Tantrakul reported to narcotics suppression police in Bangkok on Friday for questioning over 10 million baht she received from her husband Akarakit "Benz Racing" Worarojcharoendet, already charged with money laundering in connection with a Lao drug cartel.
The 30-year-old arrived at the bureau with Mr Akarakit's mother, Supornpen Worarojcharoendet, about 10.30am. Pol Maj Gen Chatree Paisarnsilp, deputy commissioner of the bureau, said they would be asked about vehicles that Mr Akarakit possessed and assets that he had transferred into accounts owned by Ms Napapa and his mother.
About 10 million baht had been transferred to Ms Napapa's accounts. That was a lot, and police would like a clear explanation for it, Pol Maj Gen Chatree said.
He also said that over the past year millions of baht had been deposited into and withdrawn from the actress's accounts. Money transactions with Mr Akarakit's mother were of six-digit figures, the deputy commissioner said.
Police would question Mr Akarakit again. At this stage Ms Napapa and her mother-in-law had not been charged with any offence, he said.
Ms Napapa left after four hours of being questioned. She told reporters that she earned all the money in her accounts through her own work, and the total sum in question was less than 30 million baht over the past two years.
She also said she did not know everything about the life of her husband, as their relationship was only one year old.
Pol Col Somkiat Wannasiriwilai, deputy spokesman of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, said Ms Napapa gave clear information about the sources of her money and the money transfers between her and her husband.
Investigators would later ascertain if there was any connection with the money-laundering case against Mr Akarakit.
Mr Akarakit was earlier summoned for questioning after police suspicions were aroused by about 100 million baht connected to many groups of people.
Ms Napapa married Mr Akarakit, who is the same age, last November and gave birth to a child in mid-February.
Early this month, Mr Akarakit was charged with money laundering and conspiracy to launder money following the arrest of Lao drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha and the ongoing investigation into his extensive network of dealers and smugglers.
Police established a link between Mr Akarakit's financial transactions and those of the illicit drug network. Mr Akarakit was released on bail of 500,000 baht.
Police investigators accuse Mr Akarakit of colluding to launder money with Natthaphol "Boy" Nakkham, who was arrested on Feb 1 in connection with the Xaysana drug network.
Mr Natthaphol had allegedly supplied Mr Akarakit with money earned from drug trafficking, and he had used it to buy properties and run businesses.
