A veteran TV actor allegedly linked to a 31-year-old impersonating as an army general has denied knowing the man personally.
Sophon Meechai, 66, on Monday turned himself in to Crime Suppression Division police to give statements after he was allegedly implicated in the case against Wankasat Phromthong.
Mr Wankasat, 31, was caught following a raid on his house in Chatuchak district, Bangkok on May 18.
Wildlife officials who joined the raid seized carcasses of a lion, a leopard, an Asiatic golden cat and 13 elephant tusks from the house. CSD police later searched the house and found two military uniforms with army general insignia and fake royal decorations.
Mr Sophon insisted he did not know Mr Wankasat personally and only saw the man at social functions. Being an actor, he was often greeted by a lot of people.
At these events, he saw people treat Mr Wankasat with high respect but he did not know why so he treated the man in the same manner.
He said he went to the 87th birthday party of former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh at the Royal Thai Army Club on Vibhvadi Rangsit Road on May 15 after a close acquaintance phoned him to join the event, said the actor, adding the caller was not Mr Wankasat.
Mr Wankasat showed up at Gen Chavalit’s birthday party, where many senior figures and politicians from several parties also attended.