Cops hunt 7 more from Pongpat ring

Cops hunt 7 more from Pongpat ring

At least seven more people are suspected of being part of the alleged criminal network of former Central Investigation Bureau chief Pongpat Chayapan, according to an informed source.

The seven suspects are the relatives and husband of Sudathip Muangnual, 38, who is currently being detained on a lese majeste charge, the source said.

Ms Sudathip was also charged last month with encroaching on forest land.

She was initially released after turning herself in to police to answer the encroachment charge along with her husband, former Samut Sakhon Immigration Police chief Pol Col Kowit Muangnual.

Police believe the two had links to the alleged network led by Pol Lt Gen Pongpat who was charged last month with several offences including lese majeste.

Ms Sudathip was detained again after several people accused her of citing the royal institution to help her win business contracts. 

One of the seven other suspects is Ms Sudathip's husband, the source said.

Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Sriwara Rangsiphramnakul said yesterday that the interrogation of Ms Sudathip was now complete and the suspect had confessed to the lese majeste charge.

Ms Sudathip is alleged to have cited the royal institution to gain business connections since 2002. Her businesses included selling fresh and cooked vegetables, chili dipping sauces, a resort called Suan Phung Resort in Ratchaburi province, and a cake and coffee shop called Cafe de Suvarnabhumi at Suvarnabhumi airport, the source said. Police want to question Palida Lakchalermporn, a relative and business partner and several other family members, the source said.

Another informed source said the Suan Phung Resort in Ratachaburi's Suan Phung is up for sale. A home within the resort was earlier demolished by security officials who said it was built in a forest reserve.

In a related development, Chakarn Parkpoom and Natthapol Suwadee (formerly Akkharaphongpricha) on Friday faced an additional charge of lese majeste for citing the royal institution to obtain a master's degree at the National Institute of Development Administration.

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