Ying Kai bail denied, detained for lese majeste

Lese majeste suspect Monta Yokrattanakan, 56, is led to a detention van to be taken to the Central Women's Correctional Institute after the Criminal Court denied her bail request. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)

Monta Yokrattanakan, who is also known as "Ying Kai", will spend the night at the Central Women's Correctional Institute in Bang Khen after the Criminal Court denied her bail on a lese majeste charge.

Mrs Monta faced three charges in five different cases, all relating to her employment of young women, when she reported to the Crime Suppression Division earlier on Thursday.

The charges are: making false complaints to police, attempted human trafficking, and insulting the royal institution. Mrs Monta denied all charges and said she would testify in court.

However, police petitioned the court to detain her for 12 days, until July 18, on a charge of lese majeste, citing the need to question five more witnesses and wait for examination results of evidence from the Central Police Forensic Science Division.

Officials also asked the judges to reject Mrs Monta’s temporary release as she had made a false claim of having a close relationship with the high institution. The offence carried a serious penalty and she might tamper with evidence or flee if released on bail, the court was told.

Mrs Monta’s lawyer later submitted a bail application with a 1.1 million-baht surety.

The court dismissed Mrs Monta’s plea, citing the seriousness of the charge which involved the revered institution.

Police earlier took Mrs Monta to Bann Prachaniwet Condominium building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district where police searched her room. Acting CSD chief Charn Wimolsri said officials found no illegal items, but took possession of 19 passports for further examination.

Media reports said Mrs Monta, whose former employees said she claimed to hold a title bestowed by the King, refused to talk to reporters and looked stressed when she was taken to Bann Prachaniwet Condominium.



