'Benz Racing' meets police (Updated)

Speed racer Akarakit Worarojchroendet has submitted documents to officials to clarify his acquisition of assets including the suspicious 20-million-baht Lamborghini.

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Friday update

'Benz Racing' claims Lambo buy was legal

Post reporters

Speed racer Akarakit Worarojchroendet has submitted documents to officials to clarify his acquisition of assets including the 20-million-baht Lamborghini suspected of being linked to the drug ring of Lao kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha.

Mr Akarakit, 30, alias "Benz Racing", along with his mother and lawyer appeared at the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) Thursday to present documents proving he legally obtained his Lamborghini Gallardo, a KTM 1290 Super Duke motorbike and other assets.

On Wednesday, the police probe found Mr Akarakit's income from his racing career and his business, Area 51, a shop selling auto accessories for big bikes, to be insufficient to afford the luxury car, for which he had to pay 250,000 baht in monthly installments.

The Revenue Department's report also indicated Area 51 had been closed down for three years. The shop made huge losses during its operation.

Thursday's story

Payment for luxury car in spotlight

Post Reporters

A police probe has found that speed racer Akarakit Worarojchroendet's income from operating a bike shop was not enough to afford the 20-million-baht Lamborghini suspected of being linked to Lao drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha's drug ring.

Sommai Kongwisaisuk, commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB), said Wednesday the investigation found that Mr Akarakit's total income from his racing career and running Area 51, a shop selling auto accessories for big bikes, was insufficient to purchase a Lamborghini Gallardo.

Pol Lt Gen Sommai said Mr Akarakit, 30, also known as "Benz Racing", contacted police Wednesday, saying he would meet NSB investigators to clarify his acquisition of the luxury car and his KTM 1290 Super Duke motorbike at about 2pm.

However, he failed to appear at the NSB.

Pol Lt Gen Sommai, however, said Mr Akarakit was still required to give a statement to NSB investigators today as he was summoned by police earlier, adding he had to declare his ownership of all assets and sources of income.

Meanwhile, investigators examined Mr Akarakit's financial records and found he had to pay 250,000 baht in monthly installments for the Lamborghini.

Investigators also found 300,000 baht had been wired to his account each month by Natthaphol "Boy" Nakkham, one of the suspects linked to Mr Xaysana. They suspected Mr Natthaphol wired the money to Mr Akarakit's account to help him pay for the car while giving him extra as payment for him posing as the owner of the car instead of Mr Natthaphol.

The luxury car was legally imported. The previous owner was a Songkhla resident who later sold the vehicle to a used-car outlet via Kiatnakin Bank leasing, according to the probe.

The vehicle was again sold to a similar vehicle outlet, called Buono Auto Clinic, on Rama III Road where Mr Akarakit purchased the car via Ratchthani Leasing Plc, a leasing firm for Lamborghini.

The garage's owner, Natthawat Huangmanee, alias "Ek Buono", was also summoned to give a statement to police last week.

Mr Natthawat earlier said he had brought documents concerning the sale of the Lamborghini to officials, insisting the car was purchased legally several months ago.

The Revenue Department's report indicated Area 51 had been closed down for three years. The shop made huge losses during its operation, according to the police probe.

According to police, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and the Anti-Money Laundering Office impounded Mr Akarakit's assets including the luxury car and the motorbike, which was valued at more than 17 million baht.

Mr Akarakit has been told to declare his acquisition of the assets to authorities within 90 days. Otherwise, all properties will be put up for auction.

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