After months of treatment for a mental disorder, Dr Prakitpao Thomthitchong yesterday described himself as a victim of "malicious group psychology" and vowed to pursue legal action against people he accuses of preying on him.

"I will pursue legal action to the end to prevent them from going after other victims," Prakitpao said at the Galaya Rajanagarindra Institute.

He has received treatment at the institute since the Criminal Court agreed with psychiatrists that he needed to be admitted.

The case went to the court after 24-year-old university student Pemmika Veerachatraksit complained to police over the family decision to commit Prakitpao.

She insisted he was well and questioned the family's motives.

She said she and Prakitpao had been close for years.

Prakitpao was admitted to the hospital on February 19 after he announced his intention to divorce his wife Alisa, a high-school sweetheart with whom he has two children.

Following his admission for mental treatment, Alisa sued Pemmika for having an extramarital affair with her husband.

"I have learnt that bad friends can lead me astray," Prakitpao said yesterday.

He was speaking at a seminar held by the Galaya Rajanagarindra Institute, which was celebrating its 36th anniversary.

As Prakitpao got on stage, his wife, his parents and his elder brother were present to offer him moral support. Pemmika's father was also there.

"I believe I was only 20-per-cent conscious when I spoke to the court the last time," Prakitpao said.

He said his decision to seek a divorce came after some people planted the idea in his head that his wife was going to kill him and ruin his family.

"Things started around last October when I ended up keeping close contact with four people. As they unanimously cited supernatural powers, I was misled," Prakitpao said.

He estimated he had lost about Bt10 million because of the group-psychology scam.

Asked whether he had cheated on his wife, Prakitpao said, "No. But during the time I was misled, details are all in the investigation report".

Prakitpao also dismissed Pemmika's suggestion that his family wanted to keep him in a mental institute so that they could hold all the money from a lucrative tutorial business.

"This is the business founded by my parents. Everyone in the family has got his or her share from the profits. Those who work harder get bigger shares, and we are happy. As you can see, my house is bigger than my siblings'," he said.

Prakitpao said his condition was improving satisfactorily and he would soon be able to go back to work at the Applied Physics tutorial schools.