Superstar's affair with son of wanted Thai politician raises eyebrows

[webfact]

Superstar's Affair With Son Of Wanted Politician Raises Eyebrows
By Khaosod Online


A photo posted by the actress Ms. Janie Tienphosuwan. Many guessed that the person next to her is Mr.Chonsawat Asavahame, son of politician convicted with corruption charge.

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is inundated with daily shares of gossip news about which superstar is in love with whom. But one particular piece of such "news" manages to get the attention of the Kingdom′s law enforcement agency - the Office of Attorney General, no less.

For some time, many netizens had been speculating about the new relationship of Ms. Janie Tienphosuwan, after the famous actress posted series of photos with the mysterious messages expressing how “happily in love” she is.

The 32-year-old star has been in the spotlight for the last 10 years, and recently made huge success from her leading role as twins Munin and Muta in Channel 3 soap opera “Raeng Ngao” (Reflection)

The drama featured the story about a woman, Muta, who was engaged in a love affair with a married top bureaucrat and later committed suicide after the bureaucrat′s wife publicly humiliated her and the man refused to take responsibility of her pregnancy. Later, Munin, Muta′s twin sister, came back from her studies in the United States and sought to avenger her naive twin.

Ms. Janie was praised for her ability in playing both characters with their widely different personalities. Unsurprisingly, she commands a large fan base. And the fans have been guessing who had been speculating who she had been dating recently.

As speculation widens, rumours surfaced that the man Ms. Janie had been seeing is none other than Mr.Chonsawat Asavahame, a son of a former top politician Mr.Wattana Asavahem who has been on the run from Thai authorities after he was convicted of corruption 5 years ago.


Mr.Chonsawat Asavahame (in white shirt, center)

In 2008, the court ruled that Mr. Wattana, who was serving as Minister at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, was guilty of conspiring with 10 other defendants to illegally buy and sell lands in Samut Prakarn province. The lands, located in Bang Bo District, were in connection with construction of 23 billion baht wastewater treatment plant near the capital city.

The court sentenced Mr. Wattana, prominent member of Phuea Phaen Din Party, to 10 years in prison - but he was already out of the country by that time; he fled to an unknown destination during his release on bail. The Thai authorities, ostensibly at least, have been trying to locate him ever since.

The law enforcement agency′s latest lead came in a photo, leaked by unknown source couple of weeks ago, which appears to show Ms. Janie, Mr. Chonsawat, and Mr. Wattana together at an unidentified place.

The photo seems to confirm the relationship between Ms. Janie and Mr. Chonsawat, and sparked much discussion over the internet about the ability of Thai authorities in their dealing with corrupt politicians.

Indeed, the story struck many netizens as similar to the case about former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the former leader deposed in 2006 military coup and had been avoiding corruption charges convicted by the Thai court.

Many opinions from the internet criticised the Thai police for not putting enough effort to arrest “powerful people” convicted by the court. One commentator referred to how top-ranking police officers met with Mr. Thaksin to celebrate his new position in Hong Kong, where the former leader had residence, without enforcing any legal prosecution or showing any attempt to arrest the man.

Some netizens - ever renowned for their investigative skill - suggest that the photo of Ms. Janie and Mr. Wattana was taken at Crown Tower Hotel’s Presidential Suite in Macao. They raised questions why the police did not show any interest in pursuing the lead. [read mre...]

Full story: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNM05UY3dPVEE0Tnc9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-08-06

[bigbamboo]

I can't imagine why the Thai police wouldn't bother chasing a wealthy criminal politician on the run, can you?

Edited August 6, 2013 by bigbamboo

[theblether]

What's the son wanted for? If it's nothing then leave them alone.

Enough with the sins of my father BS.

[Tatsujin]

I can't imagine why the Thai police wouldn't bother chasing a wealthy criminal politician on the run, can you?

Those brown paper bags can be quite large you know ... lol

[borisloosebrain]

Ah the disappearing Wattana, good buddy of Chalerm and his old boss in the Chart Thai party Khun Buffet Banharn, Ah Wattana denied US visa due to his success as a major drug trafficker, given sanctuary in Cambodia where Charlerms son hid out while on the run for murder at Wattanas' Casino. Thick as thieves the lot of them. God I love Thailand where redemption is never more than a fat envelope or two away.

[soundman]

What's the son wanted for? If it's nothing then leave them alone.

Enough with the sins of my father BS.

Highly probable the son is enjoying the spoils of the ill-gotten wealth.

[borisloosebrain]

Ah the disappearing Wattana, good buddy of Chalerm and his old boss in the Chart Thai party Khun Buffet Banharn, Ah Wattana denied US visa due to his success as a major drug trafficker, given sanctuary in Cambodia where Charlerms son hid out while on the run for murder at Wattanas' Casino. Thick as thieves the lot of them. God I love Thailand where redemption is never more than a fat envelope or two away.

Janie is a total babe, so good luck to the son !

[CelticBhoy]

She'd raise more than my eyebrows!

[Redhawk]

I can't imagine why the Thai police wouldn't bother chasing a wealthy criminal politician on the run, can you?

Out of my imagination!!!

[kurnell]

Superstar? What like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie? I like the way Thais like to refer to complete nobody's as "Superstars".

[geriatrickid]

What's the son wanted for? If it's nothing then leave them alone.

Enough with the sins of my father BS.

Highly probable the son is enjoying the spoils of the ill-gotten wealth.

Not likely. He can make his own money. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he is a potent regional politician.

Isn't he President of the Samut Prakan Provincial Administrative Organization ? The airport is located on his turf.

Need I offer a suggestion as to how he would make his money?

[OzMick]

Pleasantly surprised. Thought this might be about some bloke drilling an oak tree.

[ratcatcher]

There's no accounting for taste but here's a shot of the "superstar actress".

Her manfriend is quite handsome, although he will look like daddy in 20 years.

[trainman34014]

To us it's no big deal but to Thai women it's wonderful gossip for the hairdressers shop or even the market. They just love to have this kind of crap to chunter about and if it's not so called 'Superstars' then it's about Ying who lives up the road chatting to nine different sponsors online whilst her Farang Husband is away working. Of course it's never about love or lifetime commitment but all revolves around how much money is involved !

[Bung]

How does an actress working in television and unknown outside of Thailand be referred to as a "superstar"?

[dudu]

How does an actress working in television and unknown outside of Thailand be referred to as a "superstar"?

We are all in the box now,there is no outer world...

[scorecard]

Wonder what happened to the other son, the one who tried to run down a policeman who stopped him at an intersection, forcing the bib to jump onto the bonnet of his car and hang onto the windscreen wipers whilst sonny tried to zig zag the car all over the place at speed to shake him off.

No charges laid of course.

Fathers (wattana) comment: He's just a kid full of fun.

This was the third of fourth time that son had been in serious incidents. Father continued by saying 'well if he does two more things that are naughty

I'll talk to him'.

Nice family.

[Payboy]

How does an actress working in television and unknown outside of Thailand be referred to as a "superstar"?

She's a superstar at the centre of the universe.

[tomyummer]

I say focus on the bulletproof monk first.

[Colabamumbai]

So What? What does she have to do with anything? I have never seen a Thai raise their eyebrows.

[sms747]

No lakorn actor should be referred to as a superstar, or even a star. Most cannot even act and the woman's roles are all the same, they just have different costumes to do the pouting and shouting in, it's rubbish.

[ezzra]

And with this piece of juicy gossip bits, I can start my day...

[Xonax]

Superstar? What like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie? I like the way Thais like to refer to complete nobody's as "Superstars".

So you believe that Pitt and Jolie are bigger superstars in Thailand than Janie Tienphosuwan?? You will have to think again!!

Pitt and Jolie may be overrated superstars in The States, but not in all parts of the world!! If you want to read about Pitt and Jolie, read some american gossip magazines and not the Thai gossip news!

[sunshine51]

How does an actress working in television and unknown outside of Thailand be referred to as a "superstar"?

It's similar to being legends in their own minds.

[OzMick]

How does an actress working in television and unknown outside of Thailand be referred to as a "superstar"?

Somewhere in a galaxy far, far away.............

[jbrain]

he fled to an unknown destination during his release on bail. The Thai authorities, ostensibly at least, have been trying to locate him ever since.

Could that be his own backyard, where his family members don't notice him, similar to Kamnan Poh ?

[ratcatcher]

No lakorn actor should be referred to as a superstar, or even a star. Most cannot even act and the woman's roles are all the same, they just have different costumes to do the pouting and shouting in, it's rubbish.

You seem to have forgotten that in order to be successful in Thai movies and lakon (drama), leading ladies must practice screaming, sobbing and crying for extended periods showing true emotions when being abused by angry bosses, husbands or boyfriends.

They must also be competent in the frequent use of ka.

[sbk]

Goodness didn't reaize this thread was about defining Thai TV stars.

Instead if we can get back to the subject, I suspect many members who don't see the relevance missed his key sentence

The law enforcement agency′s latest lead came in a photo, leaked by unknown source couple of weeks ago, which appears to show Ms. Janie, Mr. Chonsawat, and Mr. Wattana together at an unidentified place.

[belg]

that fugitive just bought a powerfull 10 million baht amulet of invisibility from that billionaire monk on the run

[SOTIRIOS]

....but only for Thais.....

...anyone else will be 'hung out to dry'....

Ah the disappearing Wattana, good buddy of Chalerm and his old boss in the Chart Thai party Khun Buffet Banharn, Ah Wattana denied US visa due to his success as a major drug trafficker, given sanctuary in Cambodia where Charlerms son hid out while on the run for murder at Wattanas' Casino. Thick as thieves the lot of them. God I love Thailand where redemption is never more than a fat envelope or two away.