In the MORE stock case, the DSI requested arrest warrants for "Hi-So Kim" and two other members of the Pornprapha family, totaling three individuals. They were found to have secretly ordained at a well-known temple, but this had no legal impact. They have since disrobed, and the DSI has coordinated with immigration authorities to prevent their departure from the country.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), through its Financial, Banking, and Money Laundering Crime Division, investigated Special Case No. 66/2023 jointly with the Crime Suppression Division following complaints filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC accused a group of individuals of conspiring to manipulate the price of MORE stock, and securities firms filed complaints alleging fraud.
After completing the investigation and gathering evidence, the special case investigative team found sufficient grounds to prosecute 42 suspects. They were involved in continuously manipulating the price or trading volume of MORE stock by dividing roles, placing buy and sell orders that distorted the stock's normal market conditions, misleading the public about the price or volume of MORE shares. These acts violate the Securities and Exchange Act of 1992, Sections 244/3(1) and (2), along with Sections 244/5 and 244/6, resulting in damages estimated at about 800 million baht.
Additionally, the group’s actions constitute fraud against securities companies, causing damages exceeding 4.5 billion baht. They are also charged with operating a criminal syndicate under the Criminal Code Sections 341, 209, and 210, in conjunction with Section 83. The investigating officers have expressed their legal opinions accordingly.
On 2 May 2024, the investigative team submitted 75 files of investigation documents, along with recommendations to prosecute all 42 suspects according to their respective offenses, to the Special Case Prosecutor’s Office. Subsequently, the special prosecutors filed charges against 28 suspects in the MORE stock case under orders from the Attorney General. Charges include fraud, manipulating stock price or trading volume, and misleading the public, citing the Securities and Exchange Act Sections 244/3 and 244/5.
All 28 suspects denied the charges. The Criminal Court denied bail, resulting in their detention at Bangkok Remand Prison. Some were released on 30 September 2025. The remaining 14 suspects have filed multiple petitions for clemency to the Attorney General. Some have been indicted and brought to court, while others remain at large. Seven suspects have been granted postponed hearings on the prosecutor’s orders, scheduled for 5 January and 16 February 2026.
The first rescheduled hearing on 5 January 2026 involved three suspects: Mr. Ekapat Pornprapha, Mr. Athiphat Pornprapha, and Mrs. Orapin Pornprapha. However, none appeared before the special prosecutors at the appointed time. Consequently, the special prosecutors instructed investigators to request the Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for these individuals.
Regarding the remaining four suspects—Mr. Somnuek Kayaowatkij, Ms. Pundreek Isarangkul, Mr. Amarit Klomjitjarern, and Mr. Thianprasert Pholamphai—they previously requested to postpone their hearings. The special prosecutors’ office management considered and approved the postponement due to necessity, scheduling a new hearing for 16 February 2026, as previously reported.
On 13 January 2026, reporters reported developments within the DSI. On 5 January, three suspects—Mr. Ekapat Pornprapha, Mr. Athiphat Pornprapha, and Mrs. Orapin Pornprapha—failed to attend the special prosecutors’ hearing to receive the case order. As a result, prosecutors assigned the DSI to seek arrest warrants from the court to secure their presence for the hearing.
Initial investigation found activity linked to Mr. Ekapat Pornprapha via a Facebook account posting photos and messages about his ordination ceremony at Hong Rattanaram Rajaworawihan Temple. This raised questions because he was required to appear before the special prosecutors but instead participated in ordination during that period.
Pol. Lt. Col. Yuthana Praedam, Director-General of the DSI, stated that ordination as a Buddhist monk does not exempt one from criminal liability, nor does it grant immunity from arrest or prosecution. Temples are not places exempt from law enforcement. However, in practice, if someone is ordained, authorities typically coordinate for them to disrobe before proceeding legally, as a matter of respect and procedure. If the individual refuses to disrobe, they may be formally defrocked under the Sangha Act of 1962, which allows defrocking for criminal offenses. The DSI will coordinate with the temple abbot to facilitate disrobing, then proceed with legal actions accordingly.
Regarding the special prosecutors’ request to the DSI to seek arrest warrants from the Criminal Court for the three suspects, the DSI has completed the warrant application. The three suspects have been summoned to appear before the special prosecutors at the Special Case Prosecutor’s Office on Ratchadapisek Road, Bangkok. If they attend as scheduled, legal procedures will continue accordingly.
Reporters added that the three Pornprapha suspects who missed the 5 January 2026 hearing had contacted the special case investigators, indicating their intention to appear in person before the special prosecutors by 12:00 noon that day. Nevertheless, the DSI had already obtained arrest warrants from the Criminal Court and coordinated with immigration authorities to prevent any attempts to flee the country. If the suspects fail to appear by noon, they can be arrested immediately upon sighting.
Regarding reports that Mr. Ekapat Pornprapha ordained at Hong Rattanaram Rajaworawihan Temple, the latest confirmation is that he disrobed after only a few days. As for whether the suspects had previously submitted documents requesting postponements to appear before prosecutors, special investigators noted that they had repeatedly submitted petitions to various agencies, such as the SEC and the Economic Crime Suppression Division, seemingly to delay proceedings.
In the MORE stock case, when the special investigative team conducted its inquiry, charges were filed against 42 offenders divided into three main groups: 1) the planners, 2 individuals; 2) supporters, 7 individuals; and 3) account holders, 33 individuals. The Attorney General decided to prosecute all 42 suspects.