Man Arrested For Extortion, Death Threat To Thai Pop Star Tata Young

[sriracha john]

Man arrested for extortion, death threat to Tata

Police arrested a man yesterday for trying to extort 5 million baht from pop star Amita "Tata" Young and her fiancée. The man allegedly claimed he was going to disclose the identity of a person intent on killing the couple.

Following the arrest, Pornthep Poonphon confessed he had concocted the whole story about a contract to kill "Tata" and her sweetheart, Prem Busarakamwong.

"Please forgive me. I just wanted money to support my family and my ailing mother," Pornthep said with a "wai" to reporters and photographers. The 30-year-old suspect said he gone after Tata because she appeared an easy target and clearly had a lot of money.

Pornthep, a freelance prop provider, was nabbed at around 12.30pm yesterday when he showed up at the Major Cineplex Ratchayothin to pick up 5 million baht from a woman working for Tata and Prem. He had covered his motorcycle license plate with a false number in a bid to hide his identity.

However, police made the arrest as soon as he arrived at the meeting point. Pornthep now faces charges of attempted extortion, document forgery, and forcing people to act against their will. At a press conference, Metropolitan Police Chief Lt Gen Assawin Kwanmuang said Pornthep contacted Tata and identified himself as a hitman having been approached by someone who wanted to see her and her fiancée dead.

"He said he did not want to kill the couple and would be willing to disclose the identity of the mastermind if he got 5 million baht in return," Lt Gen Assawin said. According to police, Pornthep told Tata and Prem that if he did not contact them within three days, it would mean he would have already been killed by the mastermind.

"He even advised Tata and Prem to hold a press conference about the contract killing to pre-empt any assassination attempt," Assawin said. On February 9, Tata and Prem rushed to meet Assawin. The singer told police that she was ready to pay the money if it would ensure the safety of her and her fiancée.

"After I listened to what happened, I told her that she would not have to pay the money and we planned the arrest," Assawin said. Speaking in a separate interview at a studio, Tata thanked Assawin for his help. "When I first heard about the threat on my life, I was so scared," the singer said. She said people close to her did not let her know about Pornthep until February 8, when she became suspicious as to why she was barred from going out.

"The man repeatedly called my manager before that. At first, he talked about film production, but finally identified himself as a professional killer. Advised by my bodyguard, my manager asked the man how he was going to kill the couple and he said he was going to use bombs," Tata said. The pop singer said she was "relieved" Pornthep had been arrested.

- The Nation

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Tata Young:

Edited February 19, 2008 by sriracha john

[howtoescape]

I saw her in a certain Hotel/sports complex in Pattaya that is advertised on THaiVisa, she aint nowt special in real life.

[sriracha john]

Clearly as common-place as the next som tam lady down the road...

[Scott]

Well, as long as he did it to support his ailing mother, it's probably OK.

[sriracha john]

Well, as long as he did it to support his ailing mother, it's probably OK.

Indeed... jai dee mak mak...

[blizzard]

tata needs some pop in her career. maybe a video like pamela anderson and poison lead singer had leaked to the press.....lol.

or pam and drummer of motley crue same same.

Edited February 20, 2008 by blizzard

[mrtoad]

Another criminal genius

[sriracha john]

In true Thai fashion, bargaining was called for and agreed to...

Tata's life threatened, man arrested

Police have arrested a man who allegedly sent famous singer Amita ''Tata'' Young death threats and demanded five million baht from her. Pornthep Poonpol, 30, was apprehended about noon as he drove a motorcycle to Major Cineplex Ratchayothin in Chatuchak district, allegedly expecting to collect the money. Metropolitan police chief Aswin Kwanmuang said the singer reported she had received a death threat from a man who phoned her company, Tata Entertainment. The caller claimed he was hired to kill her and her fiance, Prem Busarakamwong, but he did not want to do it. He demanded five million baht in return for sparing their lives and revealing the names and pictures of his boss and other members of the hit team. He said if he did not contact her again in three days, he may have been silenced. But the calls continued. After several discussions, the caller agreed to reduce the requested sum to 4.3 million baht and arranged to pick it up yesterday. Pornthep was charged with

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/20Feb2008_news12.php

[slackula]

In all fairness he had probably had to listen to some of her "music", an experience that will make the calmest person think homicidal thoughts.

[sriracha john]

You mean she sings, too? .... I hadn't noticed or cared...

[CarlBkk]

You mean she sings, too? .... I hadn't noticed or cared...

You probably wouldn't notice it, it's manufactured girly pop. I don't think she's been working on it for a while.

By the way, the pics are fantastic. Amazing what a photo studio and software can do. Anyone seen the photo of her taken through her car window when she had no make-up on? You wouldn't be thinking she's hot then. She actually looked like the local somtam seller's daughter.

[TheDon]

Tata young is a stunner, if you think otherwise you need glasses.

[Payboy]

and those pics are about 10 years old - she's put on some serious weight since then...

[Payboy]

recent photo

[Payboy]

and another from 2006

[blizzard]

she can sing people.

her thai songs rock!

her engrit songs suckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!

very attractive , i only wish she didnt have the surgery...................llolol , to clarify i think new nose is good. but bust kinda awkward.

Edited February 20, 2008 by blizzard

[sriracha john]

Can't get anymore "recent" than today... and today she still looked fine... btw, that's her fiancee on her left....

Tata Young Thanks Metropolitan Police for Uncovering Death Threat

Thailand's pop star singer Amita Tata Young and her fiancee, Prem Busarakamwong, gave Metropolitan Police Commissioner Assawin Kwanmuang a bouquet of flowers after he arrested Pornthep Poonphon, a suspect who extorted five million baht from them.

Tata Young expressed her appreciation to police officers for providing her with protection.

Meanwhile, the culprit made an apology to Tata, Prem, and their families, and confessed he concocted the story because he just wanted money to support his family after losing his job.

Pornthep Poonphon, a 30-year-old freelance prop provider, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police yesterday. Pornthep threatened Tata saying he was assigned by a mastermind to kill the pop star and her sweetheart, and he negotiated with Tata to pay five million baht cash in exchange for their life.

Tata and Prem went directly to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and the accused was arrested at a shopping mall in Bangkok on February 19th.

- Thailand Outlook

Edited February 20, 2008 by sriracha john