The Criminal Court has approved bail for a woman who allegedly deceived people into paying her for privileged access to pay their respects to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Anothayapat Sittheerapol walked free on a surety of 100,000 baht on Saturday and was banned from travelling abroad without court approval.
Phra Ratchawang police in Bangkok brought the 27-year-old online doll vendor, who had been charged with fraud, public fraud and false testimony, to the court for the first round of detention on Saturday, saying they needed to question 10 more witnesses and were waiting for a fingerprint examination. The police, however, did not oppose her bail request.
According to the charges, Ms Anothayapat, claiming to be MR Mannarumas Yugala Svasti-Xuto or "Ying Man", a daughter of Maj Gen MC Chulcherm Yugala, successfully convinced at least 17 people she could take them to pay the respects to the late king at the Grand Palace. She also told them she could help them attend the nightly chanting ceremony in a place where commoners are not allowed.
According to earlier reports, she allegedly claimed she could take them before the royal urn, a zone reserved only for royal relatives.
In exchange, she reportedly demanded a combined 100,000 baht from them. Police also alleged that she told them she was a member of the royal family Yugala.
Chana Songkhram police in Bangkok obtained a warrant on Friday and arrested the woman the same day. She confessed to the charges, they said.
Maj Gen MC Chulcherm Yugala is a great-grandson of King Rama V.