Cops hunt for Kamonthat’s ‘missing loot’

Police are sifting through the financial records of the half-sister of alleged fraudster Monta “Ying Kai” Yokrattanakan to look for money she allegedly swindled out of others by citing the royal institution.

Kamonthat Thanathornkhositjira, 62, also known as Kim-eng Sae Tia, or Tum, was arrested in Nakhon Sawan on Friday on charges of fraud, falsifying documents and lese majeste.

She is accused of invoking the royal institution in a fund-raising scam that swindled donors, following her involvement in a TV programme celebrating the monarchy filmed at the army club in Ratchaburi.

Ms Kamonthat is the half-sister of “Ying Kai”, who is in a remand prison on charges of lodging false complaints, human trafficking, defamation and lese majeste.

Police said they have counted 17 money transfers totalling 2.97 million baht being made by donors.

Crime Suppression Division (CSD) deputy chief Sommai Kongwisaisuk said five or six victims of the scam have lodged police complaints against her, including high-ranking military officers such as a major-general and colonel.

He said police have also obtained warrants for the arrest of two alleged accomplices. One is former palace official, Thawon Puangpatum, 66, and the other is identified as Somsak Siriyakom.

The two were charged with lese majeste and fraud.

Mr Thawon was arrested at his home in Huai Khwang distict on Monday, Pol Maj Gen Sommai said, adding Mr Somsak is still on the run. They wore official outfits to deceive others into thinking they were associated with the monarchy, Pol Maj Gen Sommai said, referring to the scam. They were in charge of handling donations.

Police will widen the probe and arrest others found to be involved, he said.

“Several more people are believed to be connected to the scam,” said Pol Maj Gen Sommai.

“The investigation found many millions of baht obtained by the suspects remain missing. Police are in the process of tracing the money trail.”

Ms Kamonthat previously spent six years in Ayutthaya Prison for telling people she could secure royal decorations for them.