A court gave permission Tuesday to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) to summon for questioning the woman suspected of lodging a series of false complaints that jailed her former employees, accusing them of stealing money and valuables.
Her former employees were detained because they were not able to secure bail, prompting a volunteer lawyer to step in to fight their cases in court.
The CSD initially sought an arrest warrant for their employer, Monta Yokrattanakan, 56, also known as Ying Kai, but the Criminal Court found a summons should be sufficient at this point because the suspect showed no signs of trying to flee, said Pol Col Chakhrit Sawatdi, deputy chief of the CSD.
Sukanya Sirimuang, 54, released on bail yesterday, embraces her daughter Wanichaya Boonsoonheng, 21. Patipat Janthong
The investigators will summon the suspect for questioning, said Pol Col Chakhrit.
- Earlier report: Court rejects 'Ying Kai' arrest warrant
Acting city police chief Sanit Mahathavorn has been leading an investigation into reports detailing nine cases in which Ms Monta filed complaints with Pracha Chuen police station alleging her former employees were involved in embezzlement, fraud, damaging her property and theft.
After sifting through her files, Pol Lt Gen Sanit said police will conclude as soon as possible whether the complaints are based on false accusations.
He also instructed the chief of the police station to carry out a probe to find out whether any of the investigators handling the cases had been reckless or negligent, leading to botched probes.
Those found guilty of negligence will face disciplinary action, he said.
Monta Yokrattanakan, aka Ying Kai: Suspected of multiple malicious prosecutions (Bangkok Post photo)
Also on Tuesday, the Criminal Court approved a request to release on bail Sukanya Sirimuang, 54, a former employee of Ms Monta who was detained at the Central Women's Correctional Institution for allegedly stealing 3 million baht's worth of valuables from Ms Monta.
The request was filed by lawyer Songkan Atchariyasap, chairman of the Network Against Acts that Destroy Kingdom, Religion and Monarchy, with a surety of 200,000 baht from the Justice Ministry's so-called justice fund, which supports suspects who cannot afford the legal costs.
Mr Songkan said he will today petition the Lawyers Council of Thailand (LCT) to help all the victims who have had theft complaints lodged against them by Ms Monta.
He said he intended to petition the LCT to file both criminal and civil suits against Ms Monta while seeking to reopen criminal cases, and those pending court hearings.
Ms Sukanya was accused by Ms Monta of stealing cash and valuables worth about 3 million baht last year after Ms Sukanya refused to go to Hong Kong for work.
There are at least five more cases still pending legal proceedings that the CSD is investigating, said Mr Songkan, adding that CSD investigators are now gathering more evidence and speaking to witnesses in Mae Hong Son.
- Related report: Enough evidence to sue Ying Kai