On or about 7 November 2015, Colonel Khachachart Boondee, commander of the 1st Artillery Regiment, was charged with lese majeste and abusing his authority for personal gain in two criminal cases.
Despite insistent claims of Army non-involvement, it was the military’s Internal Security Operations Command that lodged the charges exactly when the denials were being voiced.
It was reported that the charges against the colonel are the same charges pressed against fortune-teller Suriyan Sucharitpolwong and Jirawong Watthanathewasilp. The charges were related to the “Bike for Mom” in August 2015 and the “Bike for Dad” in December 2015.
One report states that he and his co-accused are said to have “solicited money which they claimed would be used to fund the production of T-shirts for the “Bike for Mom” cycling event in August last year.”
Initial reports stated that a first complaint was filed about “misconduct” involving the company CP All Plc between May and August. CP All then became embroiled in an insider trading case. Another case was said to involve King Power Co. Presumably there were claims of demanding money for a royal event.
Khachachart reportedly fled to Myanmar. He was later reported to be in New Zealand, denied by police. They also vowed to bring him home for trial.
Media accounts of Khachachart’s case:
Bangkok Post, 27 February 2016: “CIB says case being tainted by web of lies”
Khaosod, 26 February 2016: “Police Dispute Photo of Alleged ‘Royal Impostors’ in New Zealand”
Bangkok Post, 3 December 2015: “Lese majeste accused ‘have fled overseas’”
Bangkok Post, 9 November 2015: “Isoc charges colonel with lese majeste“
Political Prisoners in Thailand 