Bangkok: Attorney Ronnarong Kaewpetch, president of the Campaign Network for Justice in Society, has taken action on behalf of victims deceived by a fortune teller, bringing a substantial case to the Crime Suppression Division. The victims, who suffered financial losses exceeding half a million baht, allege they were manipulated into performing peculiar rituals over several years.
According to Thai News Agency, the complaint involves six charges, including fraud, abduction of a minor, obscenity, violations under the Protection of Children and Youth Act, the Computer Act, and the Public Health Act regarding unauthorized blood sampling. Attorney Ronnarong, alongside the victims, presented evidence including the heads of teachers, an old man, and various monks’ bodies, amassing a value of over 600,000 baht. The fortune teller is accused of using psychological manipulation to coerce the victims into these rituals, leading to severe financial and emotional distress.
One of the victims, a 16-year-old referred to as Mr. Boy, recounted being introduced to the fortune teller at the age of 14. Initially seeking advice on romantic issues, he was persuaded to engage in daily rituals purported to improve his life and destiny. This included costly ceremonies and a disturbing incident where he was instructed to remove his clothes as part of a supposed magical spell. The ongoing manipulation led to significant financial losses and psychological trauma for Mr. Boy, including hallucinations and severe stress.
Another victim, Mr. Chatchai, 35, was similarly deceived for over four years. Upon realizing the fraud, he joined other victims in filing the complaint. Mr. Chatchai detailed his experiences of performing elaborate and costly ceremonies, under the belief that they would alleviate spiritual distress. The fortune teller’s influence extended to his family, including his grandmother, who was misled into believing the rituals could cure her ailments. The financial burden and psychological impact have left Mr. Chatchai, and others like him, eager to see justice served and the fortune teller held accountable.
The victims and Attorney Ronnarong are calling for more individuals affected by the fortune teller’s schemes to come forward, hoping to prevent further exploitation and bring about legal repercussions for the fraudulent practices employed by the accused.