The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Tuesday started hearing the case of Panthongtae Shinawatra, the son of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is accused of laundering money in connection with the Krungthai Bank (KTB) loan scandal.
Mr Panthongtae, 39, is accused of laundering about 10 million baht from the scandal, an allegation he has denied.
The first prosecution witness, Sunthara Phontrai, the director of asset management for the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo), on Tuesday told the court that the transfer of 10 million baht between Wichai Krisdathanon, 80, an executive of Krisda Mahanakorn Plc and Mr Panthongtae, was suspicious.
Amlo thinks a 10-million-baht cheque that was cashed and irregularly transferred between the two might have been used as a kickback for something, according to Mr Sunthara.
Mr Panthongtae on Tuesday submitted a new written statement to the court and said that he would on Thursday testify in person against the money laundering allegation.
Despite Tuesday's new written statement, he said he insists on pleading not guilty.
The court plans to issue its ruling after testimonies from all five parties wrap up on Thursday.
The Supreme Court last month acquitted Thaksin of charges in connection with the same KTB loan scandal, saying that there was no evidence to prove he was the "big boss" who had ordered the bank to approve the 9.9 billion baht in loans to the affiliates of Krisda Mahanakorn, between 2003-2004.
