How Thai media’s love for ‘LIKEs’ turned a murder suspect into a national idol

[snoop1130]

Chaiphol Wipha in police custody. (June 3rd, 2021)

 

It took the media just a few months last year to turn a murder suspect into a national celebrity, who then capitalized on his fame by endorsing products and appearing in music videos. This year, it took an arrest warrant for media and others to reflect on how such a phenomenon could ever have arisen.

 

Chaiphol Wipha, better known as Uncle Phol, emerged as the prime suspect in May last year after the naked body of his three-year-old niece “Chompoo” was found in a forest in Mukdahan province. Despite that ill-fated turn in his life, luck was to remain on his side for quite some time.

 

Media outlets shed light on Chaipol’s links to the suspected murder, but they were also fascinated by his personality. With the spotlight on his good looks and suave character, honed while working as a salesman, he attracted a huge number of sympathizers and fans. Most were also willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/how-thai-medias-love-for-likes-turned-a-murder-suspect-into-a-national-idol/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-06-04

 

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[RotBenz8888]

He's all over the Thai TV channels, sickening. 

[DrJack54]

Here we go.....

 

Where are all the CSI farang investigators when you need to solve crime.

[Chris.B]

"3 year-old Nong Chompoo was found dead, naked and raped on a mountain"

 

There is pure evil in this world.

[Artisi]

3 minutes ago, Chris.B said:

"3 year-old Nong Chompoo was found dead, naked and raped on a mountain"

 

There is pure evil in this world.

Well this is La La land, selfies and clicks rule...... 

[Bluespunk]

“Meanwhile popular Facebook page @overhyp lamented that several media outlets did not have the courage to resist public sentiment. “They focused on audience engagement and the number of LIKEs,” it complained. “Why don’t the media present facts for the public’s benefit? What does the public get from turning a suspect into an idol who can make millions of baht?”

For once I actually agree with what someone has written on facebook. 
 

Though it is a little odd to see a facebook page criticising others for seeking out “likes”.

[worgeordie]

Out on bail .........

regards worgeordie

[clivebaxter]

Here he is, unfortunately many were duped into believing him innocent, best to wait a bit before you start making MV's with murder suspects!

 

 

[holy cow cm]

2 hours ago, Chris.B said:

"3 year-old Nong Chompoo was found dead, naked and raped on a mountain"

 

There is pure evil in this world.

Not raped. 

[holy cow cm]

24 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Out on bail .........

regards worgeordie

Yep! 

[Chris.B]

34 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

Not raped. 

So you say. Do you have a problem with that?

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This year, it took an arrest warrant for media and others to reflect on how such a phenomenon could ever have arisen.

In a word.... Money

[giddyup]

8 hours ago, Chris.B said:

So you say. Do you have a problem with that?

Where was it ever reported she was raped?

[Smithson]

12 hours ago, Chris.B said:

"3 year-old Nong Chompoo was found dead, naked and raped on a mountain"

 

There is pure evil in this world.

The OP says there was no sexual assault, the poor girl died from starvation.

 

"According to an informed source, one strand collected from the spot where Choompoo was found belongs to Chaiphol’s wife, who insists she has never visited the spot."

 

Are they implying the girl was left there by the husband and wife?

 

Strange that the evidence is from the suspects wife.

 

[holy cow cm]

10 hours ago, Chris.B said:

So you say. Do you have a problem with that?

Errr. Temper Temper. No I didn't say as it is in the Thai PBS article which you apparently neglected to read from probably laziness. 

 

Quote: On July 13 last year, the results of the autopsy showed Chompoo had not been sexually violated, but had died from starvation. 

 

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/how-thai-medias-love-for-likes-turned-a-murder-suspect-into-a-national-idol/

 

[NanLaew]

And thus the Thai national phenomena of blaming everyone else is propagated.

[Chris.B]

1 hour ago, holy cow cm said:

Errr. Temper Temper. No I didn't say as it is in the Thai PBS article which you apparently neglected to read from probably laziness. 

 

Quote: On July 13 last year, the results of the autopsy showed Chompoo had not been sexually violated, but had died from starvation. 

 

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/how-thai-medias-love-for-likes-turned-a-murder-suspect-into-a-national-idol/

 

 

https://www.chiangraitimes.com/crime-chiang-rai-thailand/man-accused-of-raping-and-killing-3-year-old-girl-surrenders-to-police/

 

[rudi49jr]

It’s a sick world, so many people on social media all the time, their faces glued to the screen of their smart phone or ipad, and there’s mega big bucks to be made to pander to all these sheeple.

[digger70]

16 hours ago, Chris.B said:

"3 year-old Nong Chompoo was found dead, naked and raped on a mountain"

 

There is pure evil in this world.

 

On July 13 last year, the results of the autopsy showed Chompoo had not been sexually violated, but had died from starvation. With no evidence from the autopsy linking Chaiphol to the crime.

[holy cow cm]

3 hours ago, Chris.B said:

 

https://www.chiangraitimes.com/crime-chiang-rai-thailand/man-accused-of-raping-and-killing-3-year-old-girl-surrenders-to-police/

 

OK. Lot of weird info out there now. My apologies to you but lets wait and see. That is some huge defamation charges if false. My personal feeling is he is not innocent, but at what level who knows. If you watch the news today you see oodles of foolish people handing him bouquets of flowers backing him. My son says majority of Thai on social media are fed up with him and don't want to see his face. Poor little girl.

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, digger70 said:

On July 13 last year, the results of the autopsy showed Chompoo had not been sexually violated, but had died from starvation. With no evidence from the autopsy linking Chaiphol to the crime.

So why was she out on her own leading to her starvation, any reports / insight from anyone? 

[Puccini]

16 hours ago, clivebaxter said:

...making MV's with murder suspects

What do you mean with "MV"?

[clivebaxter]

5 minutes ago, Puccini said:

What do you mean with "MV"?

Music Video

[digger70]

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

So why was she out on her own leading to her starvation, any reports / insight from anyone? 

Who said that she was on her own ? They don't that yet one way or the other.

[Puccini]

3 hours ago, clivebaxter said:

Music Video

Thank you.

[Artisi]

5 hours ago, digger70 said:

Who said that she was on her own ? They don't that yet one way or the other.

A rhetorical question actually, but thanks for the insightful reply. As for knowing anything - seems they know nothing highlighted by the  comment "dying from starvation" -  dying from starvation in 4 days is utter nonsense, but a normal outcome for the highly efficient investigative studies that are undertaken here.