No piece of cake, soldiering on, busted for teasing

Cake designer's custody battle rages on

Porkeaw

Award-winning cake designer and cooking instructor Malika "Porkaew" Rianroo is counting the days until she is reunited with her daughter after a court intervened in a "stolen child" custody dispute with her former husband.

Porkaew turned up outside ex-husband Suvicha Leenutaphong's palatial Bangkok home on Thursday as court officials fixed a notice to the gate telling him to hand over their oldest child as it decides on who should get custody.

No one appeared to be at home but for a security guard patrolling the grounds. Porkaew told the media the Central Juvenile and Family Court's order had given her hope she would get back their daughter, Trin, after Mr Suvicha took the child without her consent.

The little girl normally lives with her mother, though under a written agreement, Porkaew lets Mr Suvicha look after her several days a week. On March 23, Mr Suvicha took Nong Trin out to dinner, but failed to return her as agreed.

Porkaew has not seen the little girl since. She has not been back to school since her father failed to return the child after the outing.

The cake designer appealed to the court, which earlier called Mr Suvicha to a hearing on May 16. It has now issued an order telling him to surrender temporary custody of the child to Porkaew.

Porkaew's lawyers have also complained to Pathumwan police against Mr Suvicha, whose hi-so family runs a Bangkok car dealership, for "stealing" the little girl.

TV cameras have staked out Mr Suvicha's family home since Porkaew laid her complaint of child abduction two weeks ago. They have yet to catch up with him, and he has made no contact with Porkaew.

"When I went to pick her up, I found a court document in which my husband claims custody over both our children," Porkaew said in tears. They also have another daughter, aged 18 months.

"I wonder if the reason you haven't made contact is that you simply want to claim victory over me. In fact, our daughter is the loser in this dispute, as her family is now in ruins," she said, referring to Mr Suvicha.

Porkaew said they split up four months ago when she discovered Mr Suvicha was seeing someone else.

The court order says Mr Suvicha must hand over the child immediately or he runs the risk of arrest. Porkaew said she would give her former husband 24 hours to do as the court orders.

If he refuses, she would lay a police complaint setting in train the next steps in the legal process. The case is continuing. -

2. Isan singer conscripted into military

Ble

Isan singer Ble Patumrach R Siam says he welcomes the chance to do his duty for the nation after drawing a red card in the military conscription ballot, obliging him to serve as a soldier for the next two years.

Ble, also known as Arthit Somnoi, 20, took part in the conscription draw in his native Amnat Charoen province last week, and promptly prostrated himself at his father's feet when he knew the result. He said he would be proud to serve and would not let his father or his country down.

Ble's parents joined a large number of fans who turned up to cheer the young singer as he reported for the draw in Pathum Ratchawongsa district.

He was among 520 young men who reported. The defence forces asked for 122 recruits in the district, but only 15 signed up as volunteers before the draw.

On the internet, far from drawing sympathy for pulling the red card, Ble was hit by criticism from churlish netizens who asked why he attracted such a big fuss in the media on conscription day.

They charged: "So you're a celebrity? You will have a soft life in the military. If you really wanted to be a soldier, why not volunteer from the beginning?"

Ble replied saying he was not pretending to be famous. "I consider myself lucky to have reached this point. I am just a poor country boy who left school at Mathayom 3. Even if I had applied to join, I would still have to serve a lengthy period.

"Taking part in the lottery was better; if I draw a red, I get to serve the nation; if I draw a black card, I can go back to singing and supporting my family. Taking part in the lottery is also an experience, and I can serve as a role model to young people who are committed to serving," he wrote.

Ble said he expected no special privileges as a celebrity. His father, Thawee Somnoi, 46, said he was not worried about how Ble will fare in the military. "I am pleased he will get a chance to serve," he said.

Elsewhere, Thai celebrities who reported for conscription largely applied to put off the day when they will take part in the draw, citing study commitments or illness.

Chittaphon "Ten" Leechaiyapornkul, a Thai-Korean singer from the boy band NCT, reported to authorities a day late, after a medical certificate he brought with him from Korea failed to fit the bill.

Ten

Ten, who entered his conscription centre in a wheelchair, recently underwent an operation on his right knee to fix a long-standing complaint.

He returned from Korea on March 31 so that he could report, but found his medical papers could not be admitted as they were not in Thai.

Ten had to get another check-up at a local hospital, with the result he failed to report on April 1 as ordered. He went the next day instead. His manager said the military would forward the papers to the Bangkok governor, who would decide if the medical certificate could be admitted.

If so, soldiers would issue him with papers calling him up again next year. If not, he could face legal trouble for failing to report on time. Ten has not decided whether to take part in the draw next year, or seek a deferral.

Actor Pachara "Peach" Chirathivat, 24, who sought his fourth deferral, admitted he could barely get excited any more, as he had turned up so many times before.

Reporting at Wat Hua Lamphong, he asked for a deferral as he is studying a two-year master's degree at Webster University in Silom.

Peach

"My parents say it is up to me. My mother barely noticed the day had arrived. I might well sign up as a volunteer next year, as I do not fancy chancing my fate in the lottery. But under the law I can seek deferrals until I am 27, so I still have time to decide," he said. -

3. Actress condemns perverted fan

Nok

Actress Usanee "Nok" Wattana has some stiff words for a male fan who jeered at her in a public park, telling him to show some manners rather than tease her about her breast size.

Nok, who in February publicly shamed a perverted fan who sent her a picture of his penis by social media, last week lashed out at another untoward admirer who harassed her verbally as she and her farang boyfriend were taking a jog in Lumpini Park.

According to her social media post, he teased: "Let me ask directly: are they big or small?"

She explains: "A Songkran running event was being held at same time, so there were lots of people about. The event had started but organisers were standing at various points. We were running past the clock tower when I heard the taunt; I think it came from the long drum player.

"When I am in public, people gossip and whisper about me all the time as if I cannot hear it. But with a question like this, what does it mean?

"When I heard it, I wanted to go over and ask: ‘Do you have a problem with me in bed?’ But I didn't do it, as I understand he said it just for fun.

"If you are going to tease, can't you do it in moderation so that there is at least a modicum of manners? Actresses are public figures, but we are also people. Try showing a little respect," she wrote.