Srirasm's parents report to police

Srirasm's parents report to police

The parents of Thanpuying Srirasm Suwadee, formerly Princess Srirasm, reported to Crime Suppression Division police on Monday morning to give their statements after they were accused by a woman from Ratchaburi province of ordering another person to give false testimony to police, resulting in her being wrongfully given a prison term.

The woman, Sawita Maneechan, 31, an employee of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation, filed a complaint with CSD against the couple, Wanthanee and Apiruj Suwadee, on Thursday, accusing them of lese majeste and causing damage to her.  

She said that in 2003, when she was 20, she was accused by Mrs Wanthanee of having an affair with Mr Apiruj, leading to a personal conflict between her and Mrs Wanthanee.

The parents of Thanpuying Srirasm Suwadee, formerly Princess Srirasm. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)

Ms Sawita claimed Mr Apiruj and Mrs Wanthanee used their influence to force her uncle, who was a police officer, to file a complaint against her with Ratchaburi police on fraud charges relating to money she had allegedly borrowed from him.

She had to admit to the offence, even though she was innocent, out of fear of threats from the couple, she said.

As a result, she was sentenced to two years in jail on Dec 20, 2003 by the Ratchaburi Court.  The jail sentence was commuted to one and a half years.

Apiruj Suwadee, 72, and his wife Mrs Wanthanee, 66, denied the accusations.

Pol Maj Gen Thitirat Nonghanpitak, the acting Central Investigation Bureau chief, said police investigators would question the two for more information.  If there were sufficient grounds to back up the accusations, they would be charged.

He said police would ensure justice for both sides in the dispute.

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