Police are advancing investigations into three cases involving Aunt Dara and her associates, collecting evidence before considering charges of gangsterism and pimping related to their encirclement and trespass at Wat Pa Adulyaram, noting that intent must be examined carefully.
At 10:00 a.m. on 20 August 2026 at Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station, reporters were informed by Pol. Col. Yosawat Kaewsuebtananit, Superintendent of Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station, about progress in investigations involving Aunt Dara. Police are currently investigating three related cases: first, the joint trespass at Wat Pa Adulyaram on 10 August 2026; second, a false complaint case filed by officials from the Khon Kaen Land Office on 18 August 2026; and third, a case concerning an offense under Section 112.
In the joint trespass case, police have identified 16 individuals appearing in the video footage. Summonses have been issued to seven, including Aunt Dara. The summonses require their appearance on 27 August 2026. These 16 individuals are those who collaborated with Aunt Dara in trespassing the temple. Police have interviewed witnesses from the temple side and those hired to pour concrete and deliver pipes. The owner of the materials store has been questioned, but the delivery driver has not yet appeared. However, he has communicated that he will come to give a statement after finishing obligations at home. Police urge those who appear in the video to come forward and provide statements to investigators at Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station. The investigation is currently awaiting the suspects' appearance. Anyone who knows they were in Khon Kaen on the stated date can contact the police at any time.
Regarding the false complaint case, police received the report from officials at the Khon Kaen Land Office who filed the complaint on 18 August 2026. Investigators have scheduled witness questioning for the upcoming Saturday and have issued summonses for two witnesses who signed as such to appear for questioning.
Pol. Col. Yosawat also addressed the Section 112 case, noting that a Khon Kaen resident filed a complaint against individuals claiming authority in the video along with their associates. Upon receipt of the complaint, the matter will be forwarded up the chain of command. Subsequently, the police office will provide procedural guidelines for the case to prevent misuse of national security charges. He affirmed that investigators at Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station strictly follow the ordered procedures.
Regarding whether Aunt Dara and the group of armed men involved in the trespass at Wat Pa Adulyaram might face additional charges such as gangsterism and pimping, the superintendent stated: "It is true that the acts involving joint trespass at the temple, with more than five to ten individuals appearing in the video, constitute a criminal offense. However, the intent must be proven—whether they originally came together to trespass the temple or not." If the collected evidence indicates intent to jointly trespass and shows assembly of more than five individuals, they will be summoned to be informed of additional charges that could include gangsterism and pimping.