Sia Ood, whose body was found in a Phitsanulok hotel room on Oct 30, died of a suspected anxiety pill overdose. He left a letter claiming he had given away three billion baht in his lifetime, but received little thanks in return. Police say he committed suicide.
Sia Ood grumbled he had found few friends since his release from a five-year jail term in 2013 for unlicensed use of royal insignia to produce and sell amulets. This was despite giving away his fortune to temples, schools and his actor friends.
At his funeral in his birthplace Rayong last week, few stars bothered to show, with one, actor and singer Rattapoom "Film" Tokongsub, declaring bluntly that he was "no relative of mine".
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| Film, Ood in happier days |
He had no plans to attend the funeral, and could not say if he would make merit for the deceased.
In 2006, the amulet businessman lashed into Film, after the young star, denying reports he had found a rich sugar daddy, tried to pass off Sia Ood as a mere acquaintance.
Sia Ood went before the media with mortgage documents, photographs and other evidence which showed their relationship went much deeper than Film had let on. A tearful Film was forced to go before the media and admit that he had lied.
Upon his release, Sia Ood complained that Film, his favourite among the young male entertainers on whom he showered gifts, had not visited him in prison.
Film, linked more recently to a paternity scandal with a little-known actress (see item three), also gets a mention in Sia Ood’s farewell letter.
"When I left prison, he warned other celebrities against being deceived by me. He claimed I was a bad person, even though he was still living in the house I gave him ... when the bank foreclosed on their home, I bought it at auction and gave it back to his family for nothing," Sia Ood wrote.
Speaking from the funeral at Wat Suwanrangsan in Rayong, elder brother Chaowalit, 50, said he was finding it hard to come to terms with Ood’s death.
While admitting his brother was found with just 200 baht in his pocket, he said he felt upset by news reports that Ood was broke.
"He once had a big home and smart cars, but kept little else for himself. He spent his life helping others. Even the land his parents left him as inheritance, which would be worth a fortune today, he gave away to a temple," he said.
"In 20 years, I never saw him take a motorcycle taxi, but that is how he was getting around before he died."
Two high-profile figures who did show at the funeral were Nattawut Saikuar, a leader from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship who met Ood in jail, and TV host Woody Milintachinda.
Mr Nattawut said he and other red shirts jailed for their protest activities met Ood at Bangkok Special Prison.
"As the local person of influence, he gave us a warm welcome, and shared his food at mealtime. He chatted with us in the mess hall, or the library.
"He took a pill overdose while in jail and was treated in hospital. When he returned, I asked what had happened. He said he was bored with life."
Mr Nattawut said he doesn’t know how society regards Ood, but as far as he was concerned he was a friend deserving of respect.
TV host Woody, recently out of the monkhood, said Ood sent him a Line message a few months ago before he donned saffron robes. He said he was preparing to take his own life, but Woody said he disregarded the message.
"I regret I didn’t pay any attention and wasn’t able to help," he said. -
2. Fraud suspect Mit faces the music
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| A, left, Mit, right |
The court granted him bail of 1.7 million baht, based on a title deed offered by his mother. He left speedily through a back door, refusing to talk to reporters.
Pui, who laid a police complaint against Mit on Aug 31, says she and a group of investors lent the money to Mit after he claimed he wanted to further his career with a likay troupe, TV show and music video.
She said his business plans came to nothing as he frittered away the money on good living. When they broke up and she asked for the money back, he claimed she gave it out of love.
His lawyer denies it amounted to that much, saying it was more like 20 million baht, including the value of a property. They were together a little more than a year.
Earlier, elder brother Chaiya said his mother told him Mit was unable to sleep, and vomiting up blood as he awaited the trial date. The court has called both parties in on Jan 25 next year.
"I told him to be strong. I believe in him, though I do not dare offer a conclusion on what I think happened," he said, urging the public to lend his brother support. -
3. Singer puts paternity spat behind her
Singer Rungnapa "Annie" Brooks says she has yet to tell her young
son, Tekayu, about the paternity dispute in his past, and hopes Thais
can put the saga behind them.
Annie and Tekayu, five, took to the catwalk at a city store last week, the first time the pair have strode their stuff together since her high-profile paternity dispute with singer and actor Rattapoom "Film" Tokongsub.
Former actress Annie, who has been out of the public eye for more than a year while forging a career as a singer in Thai disco-style eateries overseas, says she is back home now and hopes to carry on performing in Bangkok.
"I hope to raise Tekayu permanently here rather than having to send home money from abroad," she said. Tekayu lives with an uncle and aunt when he is not with his mum.
"The last time I took Tekayu to a catwalk, he was too scared to give it a go. This time, he enjoyed himself, which shows he’s growing up. He asked me how he should style his hair. I asked if he wanted to go like Justin Bieber, and he said OK," she said.
Annie, who plans to release a single of Thai country music, said Tekayu, about to enter primary school, enjoys boxing and swimming.
She is single, but having little luck on the romantic front. "Men approach me, but they are mainly young. Some see I have a dependent, and take it no further," she said.
Annie said he had not talked to Tekayu about his past, as he hadn’t yet asked.
In September 2010, Annie accused her former lover, superstar Film, of fathering the child, then aged three months. Both sides took each other to court, reaching a settlement in late 2013.
Film helped Annie with childcare costs soon after the child was born, but denies he was the father.
Annie said she hoped Thais could forget the past, as it all happened a long time ago now.
"Tekayu's innocent, but starting to grow up. Everyone wants him to be a good person, and he wants that too, so I would ask for everyone’s help," she said.
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