Occultist Harn Raksajit was yesterday sentenced to 100 years in combined prison terms for the sexual assault of many women.

Harn, 46, is better known as Nain Ae, or Novice Ae. He convinced women to have sex with him by claiming this would make them more attractive to men.

Harn was sentenced to 25 four-year terms after being convicted of the rape or sexual assault of 25 women.

The Criminal Court ordered him to return a total of Bt910,000 to 33 women who paid him for improving their "charm". Many of his clients were prostitutes or married to unfaithful men.

Eight of the 33 women did not allege rape or assault.

Harn's wife Chamaiphorn is seeking a divorce after she became infected with a venereal disease she alleges her husband contracted from a client.

Defence counsel Bannaphoj Samaphan said Harn would appeal both the verdict and sentence.

The court heard that Harn asked clients to undress during his charm procedures and persuaded them to have sex with him claiming this would make his magic more potent.

The one-time Buddhist novice was defrocked almost a decade ago after he was discovered producing "magic potions" from stillborn infants.

Harn was convicted and jailed in 1995 for that offence.

He was arrested on the sexual assault charges last year.

Buddhist authorities said occult rituals were not part of the religion but superstition and magic were often woven into the fabric of everyday practice in many parts of Asia.