"Madam Keng" explains in detail the negotiation day with "Tone Bangkae," insists there were no threats, says she feels hurt after being defrauded of hundreds of millions and still being counter-complained, and apologizes for causing trouble to "Big Tao."
At 14:00 on 6 May 2026 at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters, Dr. Don Thienthaowawong, known as Madam Keng, accompanied by lawyer Chatchaphon Kowitwanit (Lawyer Tor) and close friend Oo Krung Siam, held a press briefing regarding the complaint filed by Mr. Ton Thong Sukkaen, or Tone Bangkae, at Phahonyothin Police Station concerning the incident on 17 April 2025.
Dr. Don said she first wants to apologize to Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, for causing trouble. She expressed deep regret and felt the matter was unfair, swearing an oath during the current rain. "Big Tao never received a single baht," she stated. She also sent a message to Mr. Ton Thong, saying she did not want him to fight over issues that were not subject to negotiation, emphasizing that the truth is only one.
Dr. Don explained the timeline began in 2022 when she wanted to sell a Bentley with registration for 18 million baht. An intermediary named Mr. Arnon, an amulet expert in the chat group, introduced her to Mr. Ton Thong, who claimed expertise in pricing luxury cars to obtain above-market value. She first contacted Mr. Ton Thong, leading to a deal involving payment by 10 checks with a condition that payment would be made 10 months after contract signing. When due, some checks bounced.
Subsequently, they continued trading brand-name goods. In the same year (2022), Mr. Ton Thong borrowed 100 million baht from her, claiming it would be invested in manufacturing amulet-viewing cameras. He planned to hire a foreign company to produce 1,000 units at a cost of 2,600 baht each, selling them around 17,000 baht each. Once finished, 500 units would be allocated for sale. Mr. Ton Thong provided a building as collateral, claiming it was worth over 100 million baht, but later appraisal showed only 60 million baht. The transaction was backed by a clear mortgage contract. Mr. Ton Thong claimed he sold all products but offered to allocate 300 units to Madam Keng at a reduced price of 10,000 baht each instead of the original cost. This caused her disappointment and unease, but Mr. Ton Thong continued to reassure her, citing a brotherly relationship, so she kept trading intermittently.
She confirmed she never gave money affectionately; however, the checks she received kept bouncing. The total amount was split into two sums: 120 million baht and 180 million baht. Mr. Ton Thong brought 152 collected amulets, claiming their speculative value was 400-500 million baht, which she believed as she is not an amulet expert. Later, she faced liquidity issues and had the amulets appraised, which were valued only at 35-40 million baht, causing further disappointment. Although the 180 million baht was under contract until 2030, with installment checks of 5.5 million baht each, these could not be cashed. This led to her stress and depression.
On 14 January 2025, she assigned her legal team to file a complaint at the Crime Suppression Division, but the case made no progress. Knowing he would be in trouble, Mr. Ton Thong tried several times to arrange negotiations with Big Tao through an amulet expert intermediary but failed. On 17 April 2026, she confirmed that Mr. Ton Thong requested a meeting with Deputy Tao through the amulet expert intermediary. She came to the Pitak Rak Santi Building where Deputy Tao called everyone to a room for negotiation, as he was unaware of the assets involved. Eight people attended: herself, Big Tao, Mr. Ton Thong, lawyers from both sides, her secretary, and a prosecutor.
She affirmed that no threats were made during the negotiation, citing Big Tao’s words in the room. Big Tao said, “Tone, I’m very busy. Pong asked me to say, if anything can be settled, let’s settle to avoid filing complaints.” Mr. Ton Thong said that day he would first gather remaining assets and scheduled a second negotiation for 24 April. However, on that day, he sent only one lawyer.
She learned that Mr. Ton Thong did not attend on 24 April but instead collected evidence to file complaints at the National Police Headquarters, then at Phahonyothin Police Station and the Office of the Attorney General. At Phahonyothin, complaints were filed against her, Big Tao, and three others. She was not worried, considering it their right.
Regarding the prosecutor complained against by Mr. Ton Thong for involvement in the 17 April 2026 negotiations, she confirmed the prosecutor was a relative who was working from home that day to provide legal opinions but was not involved in the case. She only learned the full truth about being deceived about a month ago and felt saddened by the situation.
Lawyer Chatchaphon stated that there are seven people involved in this scheme but he cannot yet disclose who. A complaint has been filed for police investigation, emphasizing the police’s assistance as Madam Keng was defrauded. Whether this is an organized scheme requires financial tracking. He confirmed Madam Keng’s losses since 2022 exceed 600 million baht, with some debt repaid, leaving about 300 million baht outstanding. As a creditor, Madam Keng wants her money back but is not using the police to collect debts. When asked how she feels, he quoted her saying, “Being defrauded of hundreds of millions and still being counter-complained, if I’m not upset and crying today, that would be remarkable. To be honest.”
Mr. Oo Krung Siam, an amulet expert present at every step except on 17 April, said he was not complained against. The conflict originally involved only Madam Keng and Mr. Ton Thong. Other individuals mentioned have resolved matters, even where there are ongoing cases with Madam Keng. The police are currently gathering evidence to determine if others are involved in defrauding Madam Keng. He is unsure because several people have borrowed money from her.