NAMWAN'S MUSCLE, JAA'S FAMILY FEUD, AUM'S `GUITAR' FRET

Namwan

Socialite Warrapan "Namwan'' Pankongchuen is travelling with a bodyguard after laying an assault complaint against the family of an actress, her mother says. 

Namwan fears for her safety since she took her dispute with actress and model Panita "Ning'' Tumwattana and her sister Nan to Thong Lor police, her mother Ampaipan said last week.

The young socialite claims that Nan assaulted her at Harvey restaurant, in Thong Lor Soi 9 in Wattana district, on Sept 20.

Her complaint says Nan struck her in the face with a mobile phone, leaving her with eye injuries and aggravating a sinus problem.

Mum, Namwan

As Namwan admitted herself to Samitivej Hospital to recover from her ordeal, Mrs Ampaipan, who earlier alerted the media to the attack, sent a lawyer to file a complaint with police.

Thong Lor investigators have asked to inspect the restaurant's closed-circuit TV footage.

A day after Namwan's lawyer laid his complaint, however, Nan filed a counter-complaint of her own, alleging it was Namwan who struck her with the phone, not the other way around.

Nan

"When the other side says that, for no good reason, I went in and attacked her, I'm sure members of the public can exercise their own judgement. Such a person would appear to be lacking in something [to think such a thing],'' she said.

Her elder sister Ning is married to businessman Jin Tumwattana, who offered a public apology earlier this year for having an affair with Namwan. The Bangkok-educated socialite is the daughter of a Chiang Mai hotel and pub owner.

Meanwhile, Jin says if Namwan's complaint mentions his wife, he'll take legal action of his own.

"Ning was present at the restaurant, but didn't do a thing. If Namwan complains about my wife, I'll counter-sue for defamation,'' he said.

He said he, his wife, Nan and a socialite friend, promoter Anandadvip "Chai'' Jayankura na Ayuthaya, turned up at the restaurant shortly after watching a fashion show.

Ning, Chai

They found Namwan sitting at a table with a group of friends.

"I knew one of the seniors sitting with her, and greeted them. I admit we exchanged a few caustic comments, but we found our own table and sat down,'' he said.

Jin said the row started as Namwan was about to leave. "She started talking to Chai, who asked for the return of a loan,'' he said. "This upset her, and the two exchanged words. Nan, who joined them, lifted her phone to take a picture of Namwan.

"She wrested the phone away and hit Nan, who lifted her hand to protect herself, but the phone flicked away and hit Namwan in the face.''

Promoter Chai, who has also spoken out about the fracas, has bad blood with Namwan's elder brother, businessman Jirat "Champ'' Petnunthawong.

Champ, organiser of the Sydictive Element New Year party on Patong beach, is threatening a suit worth at least 100 million baht against Chai, who he hired to promote the event.

Chai, who runs a public relations company, and is a long-time friend of actress Ning, laid a complaint in early March with the police for breach of contract against Champ after the concert deal went sour.

"We never thought to do any harm first. We haven't cheated anyone, or tried to wrest away anything that is not ours,'' Chai wrote on Instagram about the restaurant fracas.

"Don't twist the truth or put on an act. Is your whole family like this?'' Chai wrote.

Meanwhile, Namwan's mother has sprung to the defence of her daughter after a gossip rag published an image of the pair visiting a Lang Suan bar late at night.

"Namwan is now out of hospital, but we didn't go there to have a good time,'' Mrs Ampaipan said.

"We went there with police to discuss the case. Namwan now has a bodyguard to protect her, and he was with us too.

"The other side is following her and taking pictures in a bid to make her look bad,'' she said, denying Namwan had argued with the photographer.

Ning said she is happy to let Namwan get on with making her claims. "Just ignore her, if it makes her happy,'' she said.

Police are investigating the complaints.-

2.

Boong-gi

Martial arts hero Tony Jaa and his estranged family have filed new assault complaints against each other after a fight in Pathum Thani.

Jaa and his wife Piyarat "Boong-gi'' Chotiwattananont told police on Friday they were attacked by Jaa's brother-in-law who intercepted their car as they went to pick up Jaa's daughter from school.

The accused, accompanied by Jaa's father, had travelled from the family home in Surin to see Jaa, who has refused to meet them.

They ran into his car as he was heading to his child's school in a soi off Bang Bua Thong Pathumthani Road (Highway 345).

Jaa's complaint says the pursuing vehicle, driven by his brother-in-law Tharat "Joe'' Supphachokphaisan, hit them in the rear.

The rival complaint to police, filed by Jaa's father Thongdee Panom and Mr Tharat, admits they chased Jaa's Mercedes, but denies they meant to collide with the vehicle. They said Boong-gi, who was driving, braked too suddenly for them to stop.

Boong-gi left her vehicle to investigate and when she found who it was in the car behind, started arguing with Mr Tharat.

They have accused Jaa and Boong-gi of assaulting Tharat, as Mr Thongdee tried in vain to stop them.

Both parties decided to return to Jaa's home to discuss the matter, but when they arrived a new argument broke out, this time between Boong-gi's mother and Tharat. Jaa's mother, sister and another brother-in-law were also present.

The complaint laid by Mr Thongdee's side says Boong-gi hit Tharat with a phone. Boong-gi, meanwhile, said she sustained an eye injury in the brawl.

They headed off to file rival complaints to police.

Both sides of the family laid assault complaints against each other after an earlier bust-up in June, when a family reconciliation meeting fell apart at a temple in Ayutthaya.

Jaa's family has implored Jaa to return to the family home in Surin, but deny they want the action star's money. Jaa, who says he has been too busy making movies to go back home, denies he has spurned his family. Police are investigating. -

3.

Aum

Actress and model Patcharapa "Aum'' Chaichuea has split up with her boyfriend, and says her own dog obsession is to blame.

Superstar Aum on Friday stepped out for a fashion event at the Siam Paragon department store, her first time in public since she lost her favourite pet dog, Guitar.

Aum says her friends are supporting her as she attempts to get over her loss, but they no longer include boyfriend Pithan "Amp'' Ongkorsit, who has had enough.

"We are no longer talking,'' Aum said simply. "He's a good person and I have no complaint there. I blame myself for being obsessed by dogs. Some people are unable understand what it is like to lose a dog you love,'' she said. Aum cared for Guitar for 16 years.

On Sept 18 Aum, who regularly supports dog charities, posted on her Facebook an RIP message to Guitar and pictures of a funeral she held for the dog.

Since then another four dogs among the remaining six which she raises have fallen ill, and she is rarely away from the animal hospital.

Aum said she is still grieving her loss and not yet ready to look for a new mate.