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Upakit Pachariyangkun

Upakit Pachariyangkun (Thai: อุปกิต ปาจรียางกูร; also spelt Uppakit Pachareeyangkun; born 28 October 1961) is a Thai businessman and senator, known for serving as chairman of United Power of Asia and Allure Group.[1] He was appointed by Thailand's military junta, the National Council for Peace and Order, as a Senator of Thailand on May 24, 2019.[2][3] In 2019, Upakit declared assets worth US$52 million, making him as one of Thailand's wealthiest senator.[4] [5]

Early life and education

Upakit was born on October 28, 1961, to Upadit Pachariyangkun [th], a Thai diplomat and former foreign affairs minister, and his wife Aphira.[6] Upakit attended Skidmore College in New York, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in political science.[3] He subsequently obtained a Master's degree in Industrial Development from Vrije Universiteit Brussel.[3] He then joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[3]

Business interests

Business interests in Myanmar

Upakit founded Allure Group in Thailand. Upakit expanded his business interests to neighbouring Myanmar through a partnership with Tun Min Latt, a Burmese businessman.[6] In 1999, the two men co-founded Myanmar Allure Group to operate Allure Resort, an illegal hotel and casino, in the Burmese-Thai border town of Tachileik.[6][2] Six percent of the casino's income was distributed to the Myanmar Armed Forces.[7] In August 2019, he divested from Myanmar Allure, reportedly selling casino resort for $8.15 million to a business partner, Chakris Kajkumjorndej, in order to join the Senate of Thailand.[8] Dean Young Gultula, Upakit's son-in-law, was named his successor.[6]

In his recent interview, February,2025 ,Mr. Upakit confirmed that he has not been involved with Allure Group since 2019, as he was appointed as a senator. He sold the hotel , which was part of his business group, to Mr. Tun Min Latt. Initially, the transfer was made under the name of his son-in-law to prepare for the details of the transaction. Once everything was finalized, a sales contract was signed, and the ownership was transferred to the buyer. As for the electric power business, the concession rights were transferred to a new concessionaire, who continued using the name Allure Group, and added “(P&E) Power and Electricity”[9]

Criminal scrutiny

On September 17, 2022, following a police raid, Thai authorities arrested Tun Min Latt, Dean Young Gultula, and two Thai nationals on money laundering and drug trafficking charges.[10][11] Authorities seized $40.7 million worth in assets, including luxury cars, watches and bags, along with $239,091 in cash.[12][10] On 3 October, Thai news outlets reported that the Criminal Court of Thailand had issued an arrest warrant for Upakit in connection with the raid.[2] Within hours, Upakit's arrest warrant was abruptly overturned, and court summons were instead issued, after interference by leadership at the Criminal Court.[13][14][2] Following the arrests, Metropolitan Police Bureau officers who had sought Upakit's arrest warrant were mysteriously transferred to remote provincial posts.[15][13] Kritsanat Thanasupanat, the lead investigator, was involuntarily transferred to a remote post in Chaiyaphum province.[15][13]

On March 12, 2023,Pol Lt Gen Archayon Kraithong, spokesman of the Royal Thai Police Office,clarified that the transfer of the police team handling the “Tun Min Latt” case is in accordance with legal frameworks, and the relevant authorities made the decision based on suitability.[16]

On February 15, 2023, during a parliamentary debate, Rangsiman Rome implicated Upakit in a money laundering and drug trafficking case involving Upakit's son-in-law and Tun Min Latt.[17][18][14] At a press conference thereafter, Rangsit accused Upakit of falsely declaring his assets before assuming his senate seat in 2019.[14] Upakit owns the plot of land in Bangkok which houses the headquarters of the United Thai Nation Party.[19][20]

On March 11, the Thai Judicial Commission's testimony from Manapong Wongpiwat, a police investigator, regarding Upakit's revoked arrest warrant was leaked to the media.[21] The leaked testimony prompted concerns regarding internal interference by Criminal Court leadership in stopping Upakit's arrest warrant, and the state of judicial independence in Thailand.[21]

On March 13, Damrongsak Kittiprapas, head of the Royal Thai Police, ordered a probe into irregularities surrounding the sudden revocation of Upakit's arrest warrant back in October.[13] The following day, Chotiwat Luengprasert, the president of the Supreme Court of Thailand, launched a fact-finding committee to conduct a formal investigation.[22]

On March 17,Mr. Upakit  held a press conference to counter allegations made by Move Forward Party MP Rangsiman Rome that linked him to the Myanmar drug suspect.He denied laundering money from the drug trade through an electricity supply business operating on the Thai-Myanmar border. He questioned whether there was a conspiracy theory to bring the case to public attention for political gain.[23] [24]

On May 18, he was indicted on money laundering and transnational related charges by public prosecutors.[25]

On October 9, in senator meeting he expressed the intention that he ready to go to the judicial process.[26]

On March 25,2024 ,he debated  that he became a victim of unjust and malicious justice.[27]

On january 30,2024,The Criminal Court has acquitted Myanmar tycoon Tun Min Latt, a son-in-law of Senator Upakit Pachirangkun and three others of drug trafficking, money laundering and other charges, saying the evidence gathered by police was insufficient to show wrongdoing.[28] [29]Thai local media reported that the outcome of this case may indicate a positive trend for the charge of Mr. Upakit.[30]

Personal life

Upakit's father, Upadit Pachariyangkun [th], is a former diplomat and Thai foreign affairs minister.[3] He has one sister, Thawadee.[3] Upakit was previously married to Pareena Kraikupt, a politician.[31]

References

  1. ^ Praiwan, Yuthana (2016-04-04). "UPA signs B10bn Dawei power plant deal". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  2. ^ a b c d Ferrie, Jarred; Sutthichaya, Yiamyut (2022-10-13). "Arrest Warrant for Thai Senator Issued and Quickly Retracted". Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. Archived from the original on 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "อุปกิต ปาจรียางกูร ส.ว. ไทย ผู้กว้างขวางในเมียนมา". BBC News ไทย (in Thai). Archived from the original on 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  4. ^ "ชีวิต 'ส.ว.อุปกิต ปาจรียางกูร' อดีตคน กต.-พ่อของลูกปารีณา-ถูกโยงพ่อค้าอาวุธ". มติชนออนไลน์ (in Thai). 2022-09-22. Archived from the original on 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  5. ^ "เปิดขุมทรัพย์ "ส.ว." พี่สาวจุติรวยสุด 2 พันล้าน อดีตสามีปารีณาไม่น้อยหน้ารวย 1.7 พันล้าน". www.sanook.com/news (in Thai). 2019-08-15. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  6. ^ a b c d "Report Reveals Thai Senator's Deep Ties to Detained Myanmar Arms Dealer, Profiting Military". The Irrawaddy. 2022-09-27. Archived from the original on 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  7. ^ "Thai senator's deep involvement with Myanmar junta crony exposed". Myanmar NOW. Archived from the original on 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  8. ^ "Star Sapphire companies funnelling arms and money to military". Justice For Myanmar. 2022-04-26. Archived from the original on 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  9. ^ ""อุปกิต" หนุนตัดไฟ-เน็ต แนะแก้เด็ดขาดตัดหมดสาธารณูปโภครวมปอยเปต-ลาว ยันอัลลัวร์ฯไร้นอมินีแก๊งคอลฯ". mgronline.com (in Thai). 2025-02-06. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  10. ^ a b Wongcha-um, Panu; Mcpherson, Poppy (2022-09-21). "Thailand arrests Myanmar military-linked businessman suspected of drug trafficking". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  11. ^ "Myanmar arms broker arrested in Thailand". Myanmar NOW. 2021-09-21. Archived from the original on 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  12. ^ Abuza, Zachary (2023-03-30). "Thai senator's ties to arrested Myanmar tycoon stir controversy ahead of election". Benar News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  13. ^ a b c d "Probe into revoked drug arrest warrant for senator". Bangkok Post. 2023-03-13. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  14. ^ a b c Boonlert, Thana (2023-02-21). "MP casts doubts over Upakit's assets". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  15. ^ a b "Transfer suspicions". Bangkok Post. 2023-02-02. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  16. ^ "แจงโยกย้ายชุดทำคดี "ทุนมินลัต" เป็นไปตาม กม.ต้นสังกัดพิจารณาตามความเหมาะสม". mgronline.com (in Thai). 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  17. ^ "A Thai senator linked to a Myanmar tycoon is indicted for drug trafficking and money laundering". ABC news. December 15, 2023. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Thai senator's deep involvement with Myanmar junta crony exposed". Myanmar NOW. 2023-02-20. Archived from the original on 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  19. ^ "Senator sues MP for defamation over censure debate speech". Prachatai English. 2023-02-19. Archived from the original on 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  20. ^ "Prayut Is Planning an Election After the General Debate". Khaosod English. 2023-02-17. Archived from the original on 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  21. ^ a b "Leaked letter alleges Court top brass had Thai senator's arrest warrant revoked". Prachatai English. 15 March 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-03-17. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  22. ^ Ngamkham, Wassayos (14 March 2023). "Panel to investigate U-turn on arrest warrant". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 2023-12-28. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  23. ^ Reporters, Online (2023-03-17). "Tearful senator denies drug allegations". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  24. ^ "อุปกิต ปาจรียางกูร : ชี้แจงทั้งน้ำตา ตกเป็น "เหยื่อทางการเมือง" ขอปกป้องสิทธิด้วยการฟ้อง". BBC News ไทย (in Thai). 2023-03-17. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  25. ^ "Senator Upakit indicted for alleged money laundering and links to transnational crime". The Nation Thailand. 2023-05-18. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  26. ^ "ที่ประชุม สว. มีมติข้างมาก ไม่ส่งตัว 'อุปกิต' ให้ ตร. สอบสวน แม้เจ้าตัวยินดี". THE STANDARD (in Thai). 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  27. ^ ""ส.ว.อุปกิต" โอดตกเป็นเหยื่อยุติธรรมสามานย์ เป็น ส.ว.ยังโดนขนาดนี้ ถูกพรรคฝ่ายค้าน-สื่อ ปั่น สังคมตั้งศาลเตี้ย". mgronline.com (in Thai). 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  28. ^ Reporters, Online (2024-01-30). "Myanmar tycoon cleared of drug and laundering charges". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  29. ^ "เปิดคำพิพากษา ยกฟ้อง "ทุน มิน ลัต" คดีค้ายา ศาลชี้ การสอบสวนผิดทิศทาง" (in Thai). 2024-02-27. Archived from the original on 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  30. ^ ป๊อปปิน (2024-02-03). "อุปกิต กับความหวังชนะคดี หลังศาลยกฟ้อง ทุน มินหลัด-ลูกเขย" (in Thai). Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  31. ^ "The life and fights of government's fiercest "guardian"". Thai PBS World. Archived from the original on 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2023-02-12.