Red-shirt key supporter Darunee Kritbunyalai on Monday filed a defamation suit against a woman who shouted at her, accusing her of defaming the royal institute, while she was having dinner at a luxury Bangkok shopping complex.

The suit was lodged with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) by the 63-year-old socialite and former fugitive red shirt core member who is facing a charge of violating the emergency decree announced to control the 2010 political riots. 

Mrs Darunee told police that she was having a meal with her personal secretary at a beef noodle shop on the fourth floor of Siam Paragon in the Pathumwan area on Friday, Aug 31, at about 7pm when an unidentified woman approached her and reviled her angrily and loudly, asking why she had reproached the highest institution.

Mrs Darunee believed the woman may have mistaken her for another red shirt key member Daranee Charnchoensilpakul, better known as Da Torpedo, who was jailed for lese majeste offences.

She said the accusation and the finger pointing and scolding caused people in the restaurant and passersby to feel angry towards her and detest her as well as damaged her reputation.

An investigation is underway to identify the woman who verbally attacked Mrs Darunee. 

Darunee appeared fresh and happy in this file photo taken in October last year as she surrendered to Lumpini police. Photo by Kosol Nakachol.