KHON KAEN: A provincial beauty queen is pursuing legal action after allegedly being duped into spending more than 2.6 million baht on amulets and rituals promised to restore her love life.
Representatives of Natthapailin “Nene” Sathitpolthananan, 23, met investigators at the Muang Khon Kaen police station on Friday to seek mediation and demand a refund from a self-styled spiritual practitioner known as Ajarn Kong, the owner of the Milin shrine.
In her complaint, Miss Kalasin 2026 accused Ajarn Kong of persuading her to purchase sacred items and take part in rituals intended to help reconcile with her former boyfriend, resulting in losses totalling 2.6 million baht.
Her lawyer, Thanamontri Piwkhao, said police had initially called both sides in for mediation, but Ms Natthapailin was unable to attend in person and assigned him to act on her behalf. She is seeking full compensation for items and services she claims were misrepresented.
These included two pan neng (a love charm object made from the forehead bone of a human or tiger) valued at 660,000 baht, a spirit-calling ritual and so-called “graveyard oil” sourced from 100 cemeteries costing 180,000 baht, resin amulets, and a 30,000-baht charge related to being compelled to adopt an injured cat.
Mr Thanamontri said the case could constitute fraud, involving deception for financial gain. Discussions will focus on how much compensation can be returned and within what timeframe. No formal charges have been filed yet, pending the outcome of negotiations.
Mr Thanamontri was accompanied by Phanumart Jittrawasin, administrator of the Hia Piak Chuay Duay (เฮียเปี๊ยกช่วยด้วย) Facebook page. According to Mr Phanumart, Ms Natthapailin was introduced to Ajarn Kong by a friend during a difficult period following a breakup, when she was seeking help with both personal and professional issues.
The transactions reportedly took place between February and December last year. Doubts arose when Ms Natthapailin’s friend, who has expertise in amulets, found a Phra Pidta (closed eyes Buddha) amulet in her car and questioned its authenticity, despite it having been purchased for 60,000 baht.
Additional Khun Paen amulets (a talisman to attract the opposite sex) were also cited among the disputed items.
Local media reported that Ajarn Kong later arrived at the police station and met investigators in an interrogation room. He declined media interviews and barred photography, saying the matter was still under investigation.
