CityNews – Police have arrested a well-known Chiang Mai psychic accused of swindling a woman out of 17 million baht.
Psychic Rawiang Boontip talking to a police officer. Photo: Weerasak Panyachod.
Rawiang Boontip, 68, of Chang Puak sub-district, allegedly persuaded the woman to fork out that much for what she said was holy jade and gems from Burma, which would bring good luck.
They turned out to be fakes worth less than 100 baht, claims the woman, 58-year-old Chata Seebunrueng from Nakhon Ratchasima province.
She filed a report with police in Bangkok after taking the bird-shaped piece of ‘jade’ and the gems to be examined at the Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand.
Rawiang, who has been released on bail, said this was a matter of personal belief. Chata was willing to buy the goods as she believed they were holy, and she hadn’t been deceived, the psychic claimed. She said she is ready to fight to prove her innocence, and is also willing to give Chata 3 million baht back.
However, the psychic said that she did not have the full 17 million baht. She said Chata did not pay as much as she claimed, and besides she has given much of the money to guardian deities and guardian spirits.
Rawiang claims to channel the spirit of a kuman thong (golden child) named Jao Lar, and goes into trances when possessed by the spirit. Many Thais believe in ghosts, kuman thong and other black magic rituals.
The psychic also claims to tell the future by email and via live video calls on Skype and Facebook. She charges 159 baht per person, and 599 baht per family.