Shamed presenter leaves monkhood
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| Nott |
The Bangkok South Criminal Court early last week issued the warrant for Nott, who earlier entered the monkhood in Chiang Rai, after he failed to show at Yannawa police station in Bangkok to hear the results of its probe into the Nov 4 incident.
Phra Nott hurriedly travelled to Bangkok to report to Yannawa investigators, reaching them on the night of Dec 13. They freed him on bail of 10,000 baht and told him to report again in the New Year.
His belated decision to appear came after Nott failed to show on Dec 7 when police planned to take him to court to acknowledge the charges as they presented their case to prosecutors.
Nott later posted a message on social media, saying he had now left the monkhood and would like to go back to a quiet life.
“I had no intention of fleeing from the law and intend complying with the court,” he said.
Police have charged Nott with assault and coercion, after a notorious clip emerged on Nov 6 of him punching a city motorcyclist and ordering him to perform a wai before his Mini Countryman.
The motorcyclist, Kittisak Singto, 25, said his bike was hit by a taxi, which knocked him off balance and into Nott’s Mini, which suffered a mild scrape to its tail light.
Amid the public uproar, GMMTV scrapped its contract with Nott, a presenter on its network. Earlier this month, with the investigation still under way, Nott entered the monkhood to atone for his sins at the Cherntawan International Meditation Centre in Chiang Rai, later moving to Wat Phra Sing in the province.
When Thai Rath newspaper reached him on Monday, Phra Nott was unaware Yannawa police had obtained a warrant for his arrest. “I have been reading dhamma books all day and have taken no interest in the news,” Phra Nott said.
Reports early this month showed Nott having his head shaven by a monk, and prostrating himself before his parents as he entered the monkhood. Well-known monk Phra Maha Wudhijaya Vajiramedhi ordained him.
Reports have since emerged that Yannawa police, who have kept in touch with the suspect, objected to Nott’s plans to enter the monkhood as the road rage case was still outstanding. They took up the matter with Phra Maha Wudhijaya Vajiramedhi’s secretary, without success. The monk argued Nott at that stage was merely an accused, not a formal suspect.
Soon after police obtained their warrant, Phra Nott sent a lawyer to the court who asked to withdraw the warrant, as Phra Nott wanted to spend another month in the saffron robes.
The court refused, saying police informed Nott he would have to turn up on Dec 7, and he failed to appear.
As Phra Nott was studying dhamma at his temple in the North, critics were rounding on him in Bangkok after his no-show at the station. Among them were Songkran Atchariyasap, outspoken lawyer for his road rage victim, and activist Sopon Pornchokchai, who urged the public to censure the monk who ordained Nott when he knew he had a legal case outstanding.
“The police insisted he should not enter the monkhood, but Phra Maha Wudhijaya Vajiramedhi’s secretary said he could stay until Dec 6 then report the next day. However, he never made it, which makes Nott look even worse than he did before,” he said.
Netizens agreed the monk was wrong to ordain him. “Otherwise, anyone in trouble with the law could enter the monkhood to escape. Even in the monkhood, Nott evidently can’t tell right from wrong,” one said, referring to his no-show.
Nott has not spoken further about the fuss. -
2. Kong struggles with trappings of fame
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| Kong |
Kong, who hails from Sakhon Nakhon, and has worked as PR for a beauty centre and a street busker, says he still can’t get over the success of Koo Khong, a song he wrote for the hit Channel 3 soap, Nakee.
The singer and fledgling actor, who is trying to keep up with a hectic round of media and concert commitments in the wake of its success, says he sees a doctor several times a week to help overcome fatigue.
“I am not getting enough rest; I have taken four jabs this week alone to keep my body fit enough to carry on. I will rest when I get a chance,” he said.
Kong, also known as Akkharadet Yodjumpa, wrote the Isan-style ballad Koo Kong, about love which conquers obstacles, in just three hours.
It has notched up over 160 million views on YouTube and given this itinerant worker who came to Bangkok in search of work a crack at fame. Fresh from the success of Nakee, Channel 3’s boss Pravit Maleenont has now offered Kong a starring role in a soap opera. Director Pongpat “Aof” Wachirabunjong, who directed Nakee, has asked his writers to get to work on the script.
“They are still writing it, and I am not sure what my role will be yet,” Kong said.
The performer has acted in another soap for Channel 3, directed by Pisan “Piak” Akaraseranee, which has yet to air. Kong expects both lakorns will arrive on TV screens next year.
“They have also asked me to write a soundtrack for the new soap in which I star,” he said.
Kong, who also wrote the Isan sleeper hit Sai Wa Si Bo Thim Kan, says he has to find a way to overcome fatigue to please his fans.
“I have to appear many places in one day. I am not doing it for the money but feel obliged to honour my hosts,” he said. -
3. Kew off the booze after accident
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| Kew |
While not acknowledging that alcohol played a part in the accident, Kew said his lengthy recovery had given him plenty of time to think. He now prefers to live life fully alert rather than have to battle with partial memory loss and hangovers under the influence.
Speaking about his ordeal, he said: “It was tough at first. I didn’t feel like giving up, but I felt stressed. I was used to going out and having fun, but was confined to hospital. I had to have someone wheel me to bathroom.
“Later, I felt I should not let this kind of thing happen to me again. If an accident is to happen, it should occur naturally, not as a result of carelessness.”
A city motorcyclist hit Kew as he was crossing a road in June. Kew needed cranial surgery to release a build-up of blood on his brain.
The accident, which occurred when Kew and a friend were crossing a road in Sukhumvit soi 55, Wattana district about 6.15am, also left Kew with a broken collar-bone and bruising to his back. His friend was barely scratched.
Chumporn Chupradit, 41, the driver whose Honda Scoopy motorbike hit the pair, said he was on his way to work when the pair abruptly cut in front of him. He came off his bike, which slid into the pair, hitting Kew.
Mr Chomporn, who was charged with careless driving, told Thong Lor police he smelled alcohol on the singer.
The singer’s family responded on his behalf. “Kew takes a drink, like many men, and was crossing the road normally,” they said. “He didn’t cause anyone any harm and in fact is the victim in this case.”
However, they added they held no grudges, and would not take private legal action or seek to recover costs.
Opening up about his ordeal last week, Kew said his doctor had warned him off alcohol after his brain surgery.
“I asked myself why I have to try to be with booze. Sometimes before concerts I wondered if fans would enjoy it more if I took a drink, so I had a swig. I kidded myself I would have more power, more creativity on stage. I was deceiving myself,” he said.
“There was a time when I would drink and suffer a hangover; I couldn’t remember where I was, and what I did the night before.
“I am asking to take a step back and present to fans what’s simply in my heart; it may not be as enjoyable as before, but it comes from the real me.
“I am not saying I crossed the road when drunk, but if I live every moment for happiness, rather than merely trying to make others happy, it’s a better way forward.”
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