Aum's wedding plans 'in tatters'
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| Aum, Ball |
Aum told the media late last week she was too upset to talk about the saga amid reports it has left her plans to wed her beleaguered boyfriend, businessman Krisna "Ball" Amitsoon, in tatters.
The Chiang Mai Provincial Court on Thursday granted bail on 200,000 baht surety to Ball after his arrest on assault charges stemming from the Nov 25 incident, in which student Issarajnuwat ‘‘James Bond’’ Wankawisan suffered serious injury including a broken nose, fractured jaw, and problems with his left eye.
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| James Bond's mother |
Ball, who had earlier boasted publicly of owning the pub, stands accused of ordering guards to assault the victim. He was absent as Aum went before the media, prompting a wave of criticism on social media.
After initially going to ground, Ball on Tuesday reported to police to deny any wrongdoing, and underwent 10 hours of questioning. Police agreed to release him at 1am the next day after an initial bid for a court arrest warrant against him failed to stick.
The court finally approved warrants for him and several others. He reported again to police on Wednesday and spent time in the courthouse holding cell the next day awaiting bail.
Mr Issarajnuwat, the victim, is the son of Maj Gen Witthaya Wankawisan, commander of the 38th Army Circle in Nan province.
Ball, who appeared worn and fatigued as he was bailed, has been fighting repercussions on a wide front. The businessman helped manage the Chiang Mai complex where the pub, now in the process of being torn down after falling foul of the law, is based.
Netizens unearthed clips where he boasted of owning both the pub and the nearby Core Hotel, also part of the complex and itself since closed over licence irregularities.
The pub's real owner and the firm running the Chiang Mai complex came forward to deny Ball is a shareholder. They insist he was merely helping run the complex, which has now scrapped its contract with Ball, citing negative publicity.
Ball, who denies he was involved, is also under fire by the victim's mother for failing to front the public. After questioning at the Chiang Mai police station on Tuesday, Ball sought the help of officers to evade waiting media by fleeing via the rear of the station.
Photographers took delight in retracing his escape route past a smelly waterway and rundown apartment. Defending his silence, Ball's mother said her son has turned into a virtual recluse, as he fears abduction by the military seeking reprisal for the attack.
Mr Issarajnuwat, who was talking to his mother on the phone as he was attacked, complained after four security guards at the pub blocked him from using the toilets, as celebrities were using them.
He said he protested as the washroom was public space.
The celebrities included Channel 3 actor ‘‘Mark’’ Prin Suparat, Nattaporn ‘‘Taew’’ Tameeruks, Nittha ‘‘Mew’’ Jirayungyurn and Aum, who denied witnessing the assault or ordering guards to step in after the victim complained.
As the case heads to court, the drama is shifting to a battle of wills between families of the accused and the victim.
Ball's mother, Sawika Na Takuathung, says her son appears to be taking the rap alone when the victim is far from innocent.
Mr Issarajnuwat complained he was forced to use the women's toilets when he was barred from access to the men's. Ms Sawika said her son complained to Ball about the way he was treated, boasted of being a soldier's son, and threatened to have the pub closed.
"My son didn't order guards to hit him; he's not like that. Someone pulled him away saying the celebrity guests were going. Ball went down to see them off, and the incident occurred while he was away. It is not something he wanted or ordered,’’ she said.
Mr Issarajnuwat's mother, however, who has challenged Ball to front her over what happened, tells a different story. Punyawachana Wankawisan, who says she heard the attack on her son as it unfolded over the telephone, insists she heard Ball give the orders for guards to attack him.
She said she heard a man, who she believes was Ball, boasting he could do what he liked, as he was wealthy with celebrity connections. She takes issue with the pub’s claims all four CCTV cameras were out of order and has appealed for witnesses to come forward.
"I want Ball to take responsibility like a man and stop hiding under his girlfriend’s skirt. I was talking to my son as he was taking a beating; do you understand the pain James was in when he begged you for mercy?
"Four guards surrounded his table. They knocked him from his seat, and after the initial beating was over dragged him outside. Did you not hear his pleas? As his mother I am distressed I could hear the attack but couldn’t come to his aid.
"The person who did this has to be someone of influence, or someone backing him. We will take the case all the way," she vowed. -
2. Actress slams 'copycat' footballer
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| Boom |
Boom is moving to a new 30 million baht gym after ending the lease on her troubled Smash Gym in the Kaset Nawamin Road area, part of a fitness complex she shared with actress Janie Tienphosuwan until the pair fell out in a dispute over parking and unpaid rent.
Since settling the dispute with landlord Janie, the outspoken actress has decided to relocate to new premises just 1km away. Boom said she wanted to set up nearby in deference to customers who had supported her.
Writing on social media last week, she said Smash Gym's last day went well, but for one visitor who seemed set on spoiling it.
"A famous footballer asked brazenly if he could come into the gym and take pictures of the equipment. I have only just found out he is a shareholder in a rival gym which opened recently. Don't you have any ideas of your own about how it should be done?" she wrote.
"You're a sportsman, why can't you show any spirit towards others in same field?"
Janie appears to take a more optimistic view of potential competition. Asked how she felt about Boom's plan to reopen nearby, she said customers would regard them as competitors no matter where Boom went.
"It is all good if it encourages more people to get out and exercise," she said. -
3. Saipan says customer 'cased her cafe'
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| Khu Kot police with Be, Saipan |
The actress and her boyfriend Narat "Be" Sumitra, alerted Khu Khot police last week after the customer's fleeting visit.
She said her instinct told her something was wrong about the man, who entered alone, said little, and left after spotting her heavily tattooed boyfriend.
"I believe in my senses first. I meet customers every day, and know if they come with friendly intentions or not,'' she said.
Reports said the mystery customer arrived in an unregistered vehicle and seemed less interested in chatting to the store's two female staff than scouting the exits and locations of the CCTV cameras.
"He came straight in and started casing the joint. I could tell from his tone of voice and eyes that he didn't come with good intentions," she said.
"He ordered a drink, and was there for just five minutes. Didn't he want to talk to me? My boyfriend Be emerged from the back of shop. When the man saw him, he promptly left, as Be probably looked scarier," she joked.
The actress said she was afraid she might be robbed, so took pre-emptive action by alerting police.
Saipan published a picture of herself, Be and local police standing outside the shop.
Security guards have since boosted patrols. She has not seen the mystery customer again.
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