Road rage over, railing against critics, being his own man

Tearful Keng says sorry for attack

Keng

Former DJ  Pattarasak "Keng" Thiemprasert is asking for another chance after a public backlash against a road rage drama in which he rammed his pickup truck into a Toyota Yaris left him without money or work.

Keng, who has re-entered civilian life after a spell in the monkhood last month, opened up about the drama for the first time last week. The Bangkok North Municipal Court in March sentenced him to three months in jail for the road rage attack, which was caught on security camera.

The dispute with motorist Kavinkan Srireucha occurred on Mitmaitree Road in Din Daeng district on Jan 8 after Mr Kavinkan tried to take over Keng's vehicle. Keng backed into the Toyota twice after Mr Kavinkan stormed towards his vehicle and hammered on the window.

Keng offered a tearful apology to the public and made up with Mr Kavinkan. He initially denied police charges of careless driving and causing harm, but confessed when the case reached court. The judge reduced the jail term from seven months but declined to suspend it, saying his actions were considered severe.

Speaking last week, in an interview by turns defiant and tearful, Keng said the 15-second road rage incident has left his life in tatters. 

As he awaits an appeal against the court decision, Keng said he relies on the support of the temple to help him make ends meet.

His employer, 89.5 FM, suspended him after the attack, and no one else wants to employ him, leaving him unable to support his mother and two young children.

His baby daughter had developed seizures, while his mother took on 200,000 baht debt to pay compensation to Mr Kavinkan.

''My own car was impounded and my licence suspended for life. My girlfriend quit with me. A thief broke into our home and left us with almost nothing. On top of that I am stressed about the prospect of jail time,'' he said.

His mother urged him to enter the monkhood at Wat Bua Kwan in Nonthaburi, where he has helped out for the past six months as he attempts to atone for his sins.

"At home I have plenty of time to reflect on my deed and feel contrite for what I did wrong. I am trying to look after those who bore the brunt of my actions.

"While our neighbours are supportive, some people have called my mother, a teacher for more than 40 years. They scolded her, asking how she could bring up such a son.

"For the first two or three weeks after the incident, I was too scared to go outdoors.

"A monk taught me about the dangers of being hot-tempered and how to conduct my life after the incident. He told me to let it go. Those who criticise me for being hot-tempered will find themselves afflicted; those who do good by me will find that good does well by them too,’’ Keng said.

"I help out at funerals at the temple; I have also handed out goods to mourners at Sanam Luang.

"When I see bodies at the temple every day, I feel a sense of release. I am in this predicament because of my hot temper, but I know I cannot go back and undo what I did.

"If the Appeal Court gives me a suspended sentence, I would like to spend the time caring for my family; if I have a chance to work again, I will split the income between making merit, mum, and the kids."

Meanwhile, another public figure whose fortunes have plummeted since he was caught in a road rage incident has himself entered the monkhood as he seeks public forgiveness.

Disgraced TV presenter Akanat “Nott” Ariyaritwikul, who faces police charges after he punched a motorcyclist who hit his Mini, was ordained last month at the Cherntawan International Meditation Centre in Chiang Rai.

Nott came under public criticism after a clip emerged on Nov 6 of him punching a city motorcyclist and ordering him to perform a wai before his Mini Countryman.

After earlier scrambling to distance themselves from his errant behaviour, celebrities later appealed to the public to give Nott a fair go, after social media criticism spread to his family.

News reports showed Nott having his head shaven by a monk. 

Well-known monk Phra Maha Wudhijaya Vajiramedhi, who guided him into the monkhood, offered him some advice during the ceremony:  ''From your mistake may you grow wise and perceptive ... from disappointment, I hope you can show mercy in place of hate ... a good man who is not famous is still better than one who attains fame in a bad way.'' -

2. Jes backs down over lookout fury

Jes

Actor Jespipat "Jes" Tilapornputt has come forward to appease social media critics after he was pictured sitting on a railing overlooking a mountain viewpoint in Chiang Mai.

Jes took a hammering from netizens after earlier appearing to defy the critics who said the picture, in which Jes is perched on an outlook on the popular Kio Mae Pan trail in Doi Inthanon National Park, set a bad example. A sign next to the outlook warns visitors off the railing.

Jes's picture came to prominence after a debate started on the Pantip webboard about whether trekkers were wise to take pictures on the railing, which overlooks a valley below. Some images posted to the thread show visitors striking much more daring poses, such as standing on the railing.

In his initial response to one critic who left a message on his Instagram, Jes said the sign forbade trekkers from standing on the rail or climbing on to it. However, it did not forbid people sitting on it.

The post angered some netizens, who asked if this was any way for a public figure to behave. Jes promptly took the picture down.

Asked about the fuss, Jes said he didn't mean to be flippant. On the day he visited with friends, many people joined a queue to have their picture taken at the lookout. When he went to stand on the railing, a tour guide called out saying it was not allowed. However, he let him sit on the railing without problem.

"I saw the sign, but it did not forbid people sitting on the railing, which is not actually set up that high. A sloping valley lies below, not a steep plunge.  When I made my response, only one person had commented on my IG. I didn't know it was such a big deal," he said.

Media reports say Roong Hirunwong, the park’s chief, has now called in staff to warn them that even sitting on the barrier is prohibited. -

3. Kotee ready for marriage after treatment

Kotee

Comedian Kotee Aramboy says he is almost ready for the plunge into married life after hormone therapy treatment has left him feeling more like a man.

The rotund comedian hopes to marry his girlfriend by the end of next year. Both are keen to have children.

However, afflicted with a low sperm count, he has been taking a course of male hormones to improve his chances.

Kotee, whose body was previously like that of a child, says he has noticed many changes in the past 12 months.

Hairs are sprouting up on his body. He now has semen, but still lacks a sufficient sperm count to impregnate his girlfriend.

For that, he needs to spend another 400,000 baht a week for the next step in his treatment regime.

"After the past year of treatment, I feel like I am a complete man. My girlfriend is happier too," he said.

The popular comedian, 36, who has lost weight and is getting fit for the big day, says his girlfriend Oiy, 26, is excited about the next step in their journey.

"Before she was a youngster, just a child herself. Now she can see the real man in me, she is excited about one day having children," he said.

"Any Thai man, once he has left the monkhood, wants to start a family. All my friends have started without me."