The man who delivered a parcel containing heroin to the home of a Thai Airways flight attendant who was later arrested in Australia has apologised for the trouble he caused her.
Uthai Khanapiwat, 47, made the remark on Saturday after police searched his apartment in Ayutthaya, where they found traces of heroin among piles of elephant-print fabric similar to that used in the tote bags the flight attendant was given.
As officers escorted Mr Uthai out of his apartment, reporters asked him if he had anything to say, and he replied: “I’m sorry to the flight attendant. I’m sorry for what I did. I truly apologise.”
Mr Uthai was apprehended in Muang district of Phitsanulok province at 10.30pm on Friday after police questioned a 59‑year‑old driver from Ayutthaya, who also appeared in CCTV footage at the flight attendant’s condominium building on June 22.
The driver, identified as Atirach, told investigators he had been hired by Mr Uthai to transport him to the residence in Bang Na district, but denied involvement in the drug network. (Story continues below)
Blue hoodie
Mr Uthai admitted he was the man in a blue hoodie seen delivering the package, according to deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nualma.
The delivery contained 12 elephant‑print tote bags, two of which had packets of heroin sewn inside.
Mr Uthai said the parcel originated in Phayao. He said he knew what the parcel contained, and had made similar deliveries three times before for 60,000 baht per job, according to police.
Mr Atirach was also the driver on the three previous occasions, the suspect told police.
He also told investigators that he communicated via Line with the employer, a Thai who used the name “Rin Rin”.
Forensic technicians who used infrared spectroscopic analysis to test the white powder they found at Mr Uthai’s apartment confirmed it was heroin, according to police.
The fabric has been sent for laboratory analysis and examination of any latent fingerprints.
As well, investigators reportedly found a large amount of cash in thousand-baht bills in the apartment.
The 26-year-old flight attendant, identified only as Meena, was arrested on June 25 at Melbourne Airport after more than one kilogramme of heroin, with an estimated street value of A$500,000 (11.5 million baht), was found in the tote bags.
Ms Meena has been remanded in custody and could face up to 25 years in jail for smuggling. Her first court hearing has been set for Sept 14.
Police said she had agreed to a fee of 3,400 baht (earlier reported to be 8,800 baht) from the person who had contacted her online about carrying the bags to Australia.
