Police are widening the probe into lese majeste allegations to relatives of Suriyan "Mor Yong" Sucharitpolwong to see if they were involved in his criminal network, a senior investigator in the case says.
Pol Maj Gen Chayaphol Chatchaidej, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 6, said the investigators have traced financial transactions and found Mr Suriyan deposited his ill-gotten assets in his relatives' names.
The police have compiled a total of 13 cases in the probe against Mr Suriyan and his alleged network and most cases involve the suspects making false claims involving the monarchy and soliciting almost six million baht for personal gain.
Pol Maj Gen Chayaphol said police are tracking down those assets and Mr Suriyan's relatives will be investigated for suspected involvement in his offences.
They may initially face charges of receiving stolen goods, said the commander, who is a member of the 19-member police committee investigating the alleged lese majeste offences appointed by national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda.
According to a police source, two of Mr Suriyan's female relatives -- Jirapa Ariyawongsophon and Sureewan Charnrit -- will be summoned for questioning over 1.2 million baht deposited in their accounts.
Ms Jirapa was identified as Mr Suriyan's sister and Ms Sureewan as Mr Suriyan's sister-in-law. The 1.2 million baht was part of the money Mr Suriyan allegedly solicited from a private firm for the production of Bike for Mom commemorative pins.
The Anti-Money Laundering Office has decided to investigate the money trail of the deceased suspect, Pol Maj Prakrom Warunprapa, and his network, Amlo secretary-general Sihanat Prayoonrat said.
He said an initial probe has found a total of 148 transactions between Pol Maj Prakrom and seven people including Mr Suriyan and Jirawong Watthanathewasilp, Mr Suriyan's close aide.
He said the five others are relatives of the suspects though he declined to name names as they are not charged with any offences.
They will be summoned for questioning over the origins of their assets.
He said the focus of the investigation is their financial transactions made from January last year up until this month.
The Southern Criminal Court approved a warrant Thursday for the arrest of Sukkho Tamseri in connection with Pol Maj Prakrom's network, after police found a .38 calibre gun at his house in Bangkok on Oct 23.
Assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Srivara Rangsibrahmanakul, who heads the investigation into the case, said police have not found any evidence linking Mr Sukkho to the lese majeste allegations.