According to the court, evidence clearly showed Prakit-pao had been suffering from a mental disorder and there was nothing wrong with his admission to Srithanya Hospital on February 19.

Following the court's ruling, Pemmika Veerachatraksit - who claims to having been close to Prakitpao for years - now faces a threat of a Bt200-million lawsuit from the doctor's wife for allegedly having an extramarital affair with her husband.

The Thomchitchongs' law-yer Thonglang Paengsrilakorn said his clients would consider filing more lawsuits against Pemmika for damaging the family's reputation.

A lawyer for Srithanya Hospital director Dr Kiati-poom Wongrajit also said both criminal and civil actions would be pursued if any part of Pemmika's statements were found to be malicious and defamatory in nature.

Prakitpao's case went to court after Pemmika, 24, lodged a complaint with police on February 20, alleging that Prakitpao was forced to receive mental treatment at Srithanya Hospital, despite being perfectly sane. After her complaint, police petitioned the court and the case immediately attracted media attention.

The Thomthitchongs had made clear since the very beginning they wanted to keep Prakitpao's illness a secret.

Prakitpao, 37, had run a lucrative tutorial business that earned more than Bt100 million a year. To the public, he appeared to have a nearly perfect life until Pemmika publicly revealed how he was admitted to Srithanya Hospital under "suspicious" circumstances, including his family's conflicts over shares of profits - and his intention to get a divorce.

Prakitpao had been married to his high-school sweetheart, Alisa, and the couple have two children together.

"I am not angry with my husband. I will stand by my husband throughout the time he receives treatment. I am sure he will fully recover. After he leaves hospital, we will live together," Alisa said.

The court yesterday said Prakitpao's family had the right to choose a mental institution where he could continue to receive treatment.

Prakitpao's mother, Assoc Prof Ploenchit, a retired lecturer from Chulalongkorn University, said she would leave Prakitpao under the care of the Galaya Rajanagarindra Institute for now.

Prakitpao was transferred on the court's order to the institute on March 2 for a comprehensive check-up. The institute was required to check any mind-affecting substance in Prakitpao's body and to assess his mental state in detail.

On his admission to Srithanya Hospital, the level of ephedrine in his body was found to be 200 times higher than normal. Ephedrine is a mind-affecting substance.

But institute deputy director Dr Duangta Graipaspong said yesterday urine tests conducted between March 3 and March 5 showed there was no ephedrine in Prakitpao's body.

Duangta ruled out ephedrine as the cause of Prakitpao's illness.

She said Prakitpao's family members who could assist in the treatment would be allowed to visit him.

Without identifying anyone, the psychiatrist said people "who would aggravate" Prakitpao's symptoms would not be welcome.

The court said the decision not to order Prakitpao's release, as requested by Pol Lt Col Thitidej Intornpan of Bang Sue police station and Pemmika, was based on medical diagnosis that Prakitpao had a mental disorder and should receive treatment until he did not pose a danger to other people.

According to the court, psychiatrists at the Galaya Rajanagarindra Institute and Srithanya Hospital gave the same opinions about Prakitpao's symptoms and his need to receive ongoing care.

The court's ruling yesterday came after judges personally interviewed Prakitpao at Srithanya Hospital on March 2, and heard all key witnesses including Pemmika, Thitidej, Pleonjit, Alisa, Duangta, Kiatipoom, and the psychiatrist who treated Prakitpao at Srithanya Hospital on March 9.

The last two witnesses to speak to the court yesterday were Thawatchai Kaewkongka, an assistant district officer at Nakhon Pathom's Buddhamondhol District Office and Lt-Colonel Thirasak Pinyo of the 191 Emergency Police Unit.

Mental Health Department director general Dr Somchai Chakraphan welcomed the court's ruling yesterday.

"The case has put significant pressure on professionals in the field. Without the court's ruling, the public's scepticism could have remained," Somchai said.

He would consult with relevant parties on whether to sue Pemmika, he said.

After the court announced its decision, Pemmika declined to give an interview to the media but said briefly: "I am not sorry about the court's decision. It's just that there's nothing I can do now."

Meanwhile, police at the Crime Suppression Division said they had summoned Pemmika to testify on Thursday as part of the inquiry into how such a large amount of ephedrine got into Prakitpao's body last month.

Kesinee Tangkhiew

The Nation