Akarakit Worarojcharoendet and two other suspects entered pleas of not guilty to money laundering and other drugs-related charges when they appeared in the Criminal Court on Monday.
He was later refused bail on grounds he was indicted on serious charges. He was sent to the Central Correctional Institution for Drug Addicts for detention.
Prosecutors opposed the bail application. His lawyer had prepared 3 million baht in cash as a guarrantee.
Mr Akarakit, 30, alias Benz Racing, reported to the court on Monday with Sansern Rasanont, 25, and Angsuporn Inna, 29, after prosecutors indicted the trio on Friday.
All were accused of laundering drug money and conspiracy to launder money. The offences carry a maximum prison term of 10 years and/or a fine of up to 200,000 baht.
The trio face another charge, filed on May 17, of abetting drug-related offences and accepting assets in return. It carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.
The court read the charges to them and asked whether they would accept or deny the allegations. All denied them and the court set Aug 7 for pretrial examination of evidence and witness lists for the prosecution and defence.
Sitthichok Treenet, counsel for Mr Akarakit, confirmed after the court hearing that his client had denied all the charges.
Mr Akarakit, who was free on bail, repeated on arrival at the court that he was not involved with drug money. "I have said all along that I have never been involved in drugs. I have the strong intention to fight the case," he told reporters.
The husband of television actress Napapa "Patt" Tantrakul denied all accusations while the two other defendants made confessions during the interrogation process, according to prosecutors.
All three are accused of colluding in money transactions on 53 occasions, totalling 11 million baht, with Natthaphol "Boy" Nakkham between Dec 29, 2014 and Feb 1 this year. A total of 1.9 million baht was later transferred to Mr Akarakit's wife's account.
Mr Natthaphol has been linked to Lao druglord Xaysana Keopimpha, who was arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport in January. Investigators have traced his money trail and network, leading to the arrest of other gang members and his direct or indirect co-conspirators.
Mr Akarakit came to the attention of authorities because of a 20 million baht Lamborghini that had been left in his care. It was believed to have been acquired with drug money but he has consistently denied any illegality. In April he said: "We have been doing business and acquiring things honestly."
His wife has been charged with money laundering and conspiracy to launder money in relation to the 1.9 million baht paid into her account.
