Social media was driven wild today with the latest scandal of a 19-year-old maid who was accused by a high-so employer of stealing THB10 million-worth gold bars and diamonds from her house in Bangkok.
Prapawan “Goi” Jaikla, 19, filed a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division earlier this month to demand and investigation on her case, in which she claimed she and her parents were accused by their former employer, only identified as “Lady Gai,” for stealing from her on March 18, 2014, the day the entire family moved out after quitting their jobs, Thairath reported.
Lady Gai accused them of stealing gold bars and jewelry from her bedroom and filed a complaint with Prachachuen police on the same day. The family, who was moving back to Nakhon Panom, showed up at the police station and denied the theft charge.
Police also searched their baggage but did not find the stolen property.
The story has received lots of attention in the local media after Goi, who was portrayed by the local newspapers as a “good kid,” recently sought help from famous lawyer Songkan Atchariyasap, chairman of the Network Against Acts that Destroy Kingdom, Religion and Monarchy.
Together, they filed a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division to demand investigation into the case. To complicate matters further, Goi was recently accepted to the Faculty of Engineering at a government university and feared that the theft charge would prevent her from continuing her studies.
On June 23, Goi spoke to Thairath TV and said that Lady Gai had threatened that she would accuse her family of theft if Goi refused to take a job working for Lady Gai in Hong Kong.
“The employer asked me to [work in Hong Kong] and threatened that she’d accuse us [our family] of stealing. She also named influential people she knew.”
Goi didn’t go into details of what that job was. She only said that Lady Gai ensured she’d make good money.
Goi, who took care of Lady Gai’s cat during the summer of 2014, said she was arrested in November theft and sent to a home for minor criminals. Because her family could not afford to post bail, she had to stay at Pranee Home for three months.
During Goi’s interview on Thairath TV, the show called Lady Gai, who claimed she had the “evidence” that could prove Goi’s family stole her. The only evidence presented was a screenshot from the CCTV of Goi and her mom with Lady Gai’s bag in an elevator.
Goi immediately defended herself, stating that she and her mom were only taking Lady Gai’s bag back to her room after she returned from traveling.
“There is a screenshot from the CCTV footage, but is it of them stealing? Or is this an ordinary footage of employees going in or out of the building?” Songkan responded.
But that’s not the only story here. Songkan said that, after Goi went public with her case, at least two more people came forward to say that they were also accused by Lady Gai of stealing jewelry worth millions of baht.
Days after Goi filed her complaint, Wanichaya “Meen” Boonsunheng, 21, filed a complaint at the division that her mom was accused of stealing THB4 million worth of jewelry from Lady Gai and that she has been detained in prison since December awaiting trial.
Meen said her mom worked at Lady Gai’s home before quitting last year. After that, Lady Gai called and accused her mom of stealing.
“My mom said she was forced to write a confession that she stole a Rolex watch, diamond ring, gold necklace and THB1 million in cash,” Wanichaya told Thairath.
Meanwhile, Lady Gai held a press conference today insisting that the family stole from her.
Lady Gai covered her face and did not reveal her name.
Asked why there is no CCTV footage of the girl stealing, Lady Gai said in an interview with Thairath: “Who would install CCTV cameras in their bedroom? The question is why would they take that bag?”
“The girl said I forced her to work abroad. Why didn’t she tell the police that in the first place? She’s accusing me of trying to sell her in Hong Kong. I want to say that I’ve only been to Hong Kong twice in my life.”
Talking about other theft cases, Lady Gai said she has been stolen from many times, but sometimes she doesn’t file a police complaint.
Asked why she’s so rich, Lady Gai said that she has been rich since 1992, adding that she won THB90-100 million cash “by luck” in Hong Kong.
“My lucky draw was legal. I paid taxes. Society should not question my wealth. It’s personal rights. And I don’t do that anymore,” Lady Gai said, without clarifying how she got the money.
How will the drama end?
Pol. Maj. Gen. Samart Promchart, commander of Prachachuen police, said they will reinvestigate the case.
Lady Gai could face punishments for filing a false police complaint if there was a twist in the case.
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