Ae (not her real name), 30, filed charges with the police on Saturday against Boonmee Vannarit, chief of South Samran Tambon Administrative Organisation, shaman Paitoon Soommit and three village leaders.

She claimed the five brought her 66-year-old mother, Thong, by force from Udon Thani to be subjected to a superstitious rite to drive out the so-called ogre spirit, which was said to be in possession of the woman.

Ae said she could not ignore the cruelty subjected to her mother, which she claimed had seriously damaged her family's reputation.

Kalasin's Ban Nong Kung Noi villagers contributed Bt50 per family towards the cost of the rite to drive out the spirit believed to be in possession of Thong, which was blamed for the death of several residents.

Thong had been exiled from the village and was living in Udon Thani but the deaths continued so the woman was forced back to face the exorcism.

She was made to drink herbal medicine, restrained in the village's central pavilion and left without food or water for three days.

Ae believes relatives of Thong's new husband made the allegations about her mother because of a land inheritance dispute.

Boonmee yesterday appeared unconcerned about the allegations because the rite was held in accordance with the area's beliefs and they had wanted to drive the spirit out of woman.

"The rite was paid for by all south Samran tambon residents. As the tambon's chief, I had to

do it to solve the problems faced by my people," Boonme said. He said he was willing to meet police officers.

Amnaj Pasuk, of the area's administrative body, said people in the Northeast believed strongly in ogre spirits and the rite to drive the foul presence out of humans had been carried out in the area for centuries.

He was present at the ceremony Thong endured.

Maj Sombat Phankham, of Samchai police, yesterday said people related to the allegations had been called in for questioning, adding the case would be concluded within a week.