But Sukanya Yongphisalphob, wife of Somchart, the man at the centre of the dispute, said her husband had become extremely paranoid and was carrying a gun all the time before he was put in the Galaya Rajanagarindra Institute on May 29.

Suthaphorn Maruekkhaphithak, one of the petitioner, claimed Somchart told her he was institutionalised because of conflicts he had with his family.

She called on Vallop to set up an investigatory committee to look into the matter.

Suthaphorn said she was a friend of Somchart and had participated in a number of charity projects jointly with him.

Sukanya, the man's wife, speaking in a press interview, said Somchart became paranoid after meeting a psychic in Kanchanaburi last year and later spent around Bt400,000 to buy commodity stocks at the psychic's suggestion. She claims the psychic was a con artist wanted by police for fraud in Ratchaburi.

Sukanya said Somchart then began accusing her of having an affair and trying to poison him.

She also complained about Suthaphorn's attempts to intervene in family matters, saying the petition had caused her to become even more stressed.

Sukanya said Somchart had been away from home since March and returned in early May. During the time, Somchart borrowed Bt400,000 from his brother and spent it up on something she did not know. When Somchart tried to borrow Bt300,000 from her, Sukanya refused. Sukanya said she believed the psychic was behind her husband's changing personality and called on the media to expose the psychic.

Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul

The Nation