New witness in Lamborghini, drug ring connection

Yet another piece of an imperfect jigsaw puzzle came out yesterday when another celebrity told police what he knew and didn't know about drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha's network and the mysterious Lamborghini.

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Celebrity helped seal Lamborghini purchase

Post Reporters

Celebrity Pai Lik, better known as Pai One Point, approached police to tell them he was in no way linked to drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha's network, after news reports emerged he was in the authorities' crosshairs along with other well-known figures.

Police announced Tuesday they were looking for three witnesses believed to have had contact with each other and who were linked to Mr Xaysana's network: Mr Pai, son of Ruangwit Lik who was a member of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, Natthaphol "Boy" Nakkham, arrested recently, and speed racer Akarakit Worarojcharoendet, husband of TV actress Napapa "Patt" Tantrakul.

Mr Akarakit's 20-million-baht Lamborghini landed him in hot water after police suspected it was owned by someone in Mr Xaysana's network

Mr Pai voluntarily went to police after news reports surfaced of his possible involvement with the gang and connection to the two other witnesses.

He told investigators he had only met the two when they sought advice from him on purchasing a Lamborghini super car.

As a matter of fact, Mr Pai said, he met Mr Natthaphol twice and Mr Akarakit only once after a friend of his introduced the two to him.

The pair wanted Mr Pai to help them buy the luxury car in exchange for a cut if the purchase went ahead smoothly. Mr Pai said he has not received any money so far.

Mr Pai said he recommended a company selling super cars on Rama III Road and took Mr Natthaphol to purchase the Lamborghini from the shop. Mr Akarakit did not accompany them.

Mr Natthaphol left a down payment of 5-6 million baht for the Lamborghini which the police later seized.

Mr Phai insisted that he did not know Mr Xaysana either.

A source said the firm that sold the Lamborghini was Buono Auto Clinic, operated by Natthawat Huangmanee, alias Ek Buono.

Deputy Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) commander Chatri Phaisalsil, meanwhile, said some of the information provided by Mr Natthaphol and Mr Akarakit simply didn't add up.

Mr Akarakit told police he owned the Lamborghini and he had borrowed 6 million baht from Mr Natthaphol for the down payment.

He added he already partially paid off the debt he had with Mr Natthaphol, said Pol Maj Gen Chatri.

Running contradictory to his story, Mr Natthaphol claims that he in fact owns the car and paid for it with the money borrowed from Mr Akarakit, said Pol Maj Gen Chatri, who is in charge of the investigation into this case.

Police plan to summon Mr Akarakit later this month for fresh questioning, said Pol Maj Gen Chatri.

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