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

[recycler]

Are there any sons of non-corrupt politicians?

[americaninbangkok]

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.

But these I can get on the street or BTS any day.

Edited August 6, 2013 by metisdead
30) Do not modify someone else's post in your quoted reply, either with font or color changes, added emoticons, or altered wording.

[disagree]

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

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

"Superstar is a term used to refer to a celebrity who has great popular appeal and is widely known, prominent or successful in some field. Celebrities referred to as "superstars" may include individuals who work as actors, actresses, musicians, athletes, and other media-based professions. Particularly notable superstars now receive the appellation megastar."

What's that outrage? Nobody referred to her as megastar

But that series was on all Thai TV screens just a few months ago pretty much everywhere. You had to shout at waitresses a few times more often to get your food done during these hours. She is quite the star here.

"Indian cinema's superstar Rajinikanth is the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan.[1]"

Remember, superstar does not define an international star. We just assume it is because the ones WE know are English speaking. A little bit of less ignorance and arrogance a day, keeps the doctor away.

On topic : Unless she mingles with the convicted fellow, there's not much to see here. Just another guy in exile enjoying the fruits of his work.

Edited August 6, 2013 by disagree

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

The article and the headline keep referring to lady's activity as having an "affair."

Where I come from, "affair" means one or the other is married and stepping out.

Is Chonsawat already married???

You know...when I first read the headline, I was thinking first of the son of another politician on the run for corruption. But then I was disappointed to see it was the son of a different Thai politician on the run for corruption...

It's getting so hard to keep track of all the various accused and convicted criminals who are on the run....after having been released on bail here.

[JLCrab]

In Thailand, a female actress superstar is pretty and skinny; a female supermodel -- even if also an actress -- is pretty and not skinny as in actress-supermodel below:

Edited August 6, 2013 by JLCrab

[noitom]

Shocking to see in print that Thais actually have an Office of Attorney General.

[noitom]

Thais are very good at raising eyebrows but never opening the eyes.

[johnnie20110]

The article and the headline keep referring to lady's activity as having an "affair."

Where I come from, "affair" means one or the other is married and stepping out.

Is Chonsawat already married???

Yes.

Fugitive's son gets post

The Nation

Published on August 22, 2008

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the appointment of a new deputy secretary to the prime minister. The news might not have been an issue had the person appointed not been Chonsawat Asavahame.

Chonsawat's father is Puea Pandin Party chairman Vatana Asavahame, who has fled to Cambodia following a verdict against him in a corruption case. He reportedly stays in a casino hotel in Poi Pet.

The Supreme Court's Criminal Tribunal for Political Office Holders sentenced Vatana to 10 years in jail on Monday for corruption related to the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant.

Chonsawat, 39, is currently facing trial on charges of assaulting a policeman. He was charged after allegedly refusing to stop for an alcohol test and assaulting the officer who tried to get him to stop earlier this year.

The court has scheduled the first hearing in the case for September 17.

Earlier, in September 2006, the Samut Prakan provincial court sentenced Chonsawat to four years in jail for electoral fraud during Samut Prakan's mayoral election, with his voting rights revoked for 10 years. Up to 1,000 false ballot cards were found in the 1999 election. The case is now with the Appeals Court.

Regarding a personal matter, Chonsawat has appeared in news items speculating about his relationship with model Yossawadee Hassadeevichit.

In fact, this is the second time that Chonsawat has been offered such a position in Samak Sundaravej's Cabinet. In February, the Cabinet approved his appointment as a deputy secretary to Deputy Interior Minister Sithichai Kowsurat.

Many ministers vouched for his qualifications and said he deserved a chance.

Chonsawat worked in the position for only one day before resigning. He claimed he cared about how matters appeared to the public and said he wanted the justice system to be fair while he was facing some cases.

Again this time, Information and Communications Technology Minister Mun Patanotai, Puea Pandin Party's deputy leader and the person who put Chonsawat's forward for the position, defended Chonsawat's tainted record, saying he has learnt from "past mistakes", as well as from his stint as mayor of Samut Prakan.

As a person close to the Asavahame family, Mun said Chonsawat is obedient to his seniors.

He gave Samak credit for respecting the Puea Pandin Party well in giving Chonsawat the appointment

The ICT minister said Chonsawat's appointment was in the spotlight because his wife Nantida is a famous singer.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/08/22/opinion/opinion_30081200.php

Chonsawat and his wife Nantida

Edited August 6, 2013 by johnnie20110

[rodroy]

This is news?

Who gives a crap if some two bit ex-politicians son is or isn't having a relationship with some two bit actress.

What's tomorrows headline - Man takes dog for a walk.

No, "Vickar rapes rooster" or "Argy Bargy Bashing" or "Freddie Starr ate my Hamster" or "Tyrants in his Pants" or "George Michael shunts Trucker in the Rear" !

[Bluespunk]

"Some netizens - ever renowned for their investigative skill"

By who? All their facebook buddies?

[jbrain]

Earlier, in September 2006, the Samut Prakan provincial court sentenced Chonsawat to four years in jail for electoral fraud during Samut Prakan's mayoral election, with his voting rights revoked for 10 years.

So someone without voting rights can be part of the government anyway

Amazing Thailand.

[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.

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?

What came first? The chicken or the egg?

To get elected "Nayok OBJ", especially a highly lucrative area such as Samut Prakarn costs in the region of 50 to 100 million Baht. Door to door and soapbox ranting/raving doesn't get you elected anywhere in Thailand anymore.

So the "seed money" to win the election would then most likely have come from some highly dubious source, most likely his father's ill-gotten wealth.

[kurnell]

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!

In a country like Thailand where most locals don't even know what Hitler did in WW2, then it isn't surprising that nobody would know an American movie star. The point is, sunshine, that you can't be a superstar if you are only known in one small country!!

[kurnell]

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

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

"Superstar is a term used to refer to a celebrity who has great popular appeal and is widely known, prominent or successful in some field. Celebrities referred to as "superstars" may include individuals who work as actors, actresses, musicians, athletes, and other media-based professions. Particularly notable superstars now receive the appellation megastar."

What's that outrage? Nobody referred to her as megastar

But that series was on all Thai TV screens just a few months ago pretty much everywhere. You had to shout at waitresses a few times more often to get your food done during these hours. She is quite the star here.

"Indian cinema's superstar Rajinikanth is the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan.[1]"

Remember, superstar does not define an international star. We just assume it is because the ones WE know are English speaking. A little bit of less ignorance and arrogance a day, keeps the doctor away.

On topic : Unless she mingles with the convicted fellow, there's not much to see here. Just another guy in exile enjoying the fruits of his work.

Indian stars are a little better known that Thai stars

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Earlier, in September 2006, the Samut Prakan provincial court sentenced Chonsawat to four years in jail for electoral fraud during Samut Prakan's mayoral election, with his voting rights revoked for 10 years.

So someone without voting rights can be part of the government anyway

Amazing Thailand.

You left out the last part of the paragraph you're quoting above.... and the old article it came from doesn't give any info on the final outcome.

The case is now [then] with the Appeals Court.

Edited August 6, 2013 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Here's a better article from The Nation that mentions the guy's marriage and what he's been up to catting around...

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/life/Janie-close-to-her-driver-online-sleuths-driven-in-30211964.html

It all started about two weeks ago when Chonsawat "Ae" Asavahame was spotted picking up actress Janie Thienphosuvan from a production set, and then later they were seen together again at an event at Impact Arena. It seemed awfully cosy for the married man (his wife is singer Nantida Keawbuasai) who also happens to be the son of Vatana Asavahame, the former deputy interior minister who fled Thailand after he got caught skimming money off construction of Samut Prakan's Klong Dan water-treatment plant.

Janie said the guy with her at Impact was her "driver", but then this past weekend the Pantip sleuths found a photo of her and Ae taken at a Macau hotel - with Vatana standing between them. Then came another shot of Janie and her "driver" wearing matching caps bearing the letters "JA", perhaps meaning Janie and Ae. Ae has a picture of the same cap on Instagram.

Edited August 6, 2013 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Not finding at the moment any published outcome of his Appeals Court election fraud case....

But did find this of more recent vintage:

Chonsawat wins local election in Samut Prakan

Published on May 23, 2011

Chonsawat Asavahame, a son of former interior minister Vatana Asavahame, has won the election of Samut Prakan Provincial Administrative Organization president.

Chonsawat got 157,577 votes, beating the former Samut Prakan PAO president, Amnuay Rassamithat who got 148,718 votes.
The election was held Sunday and the ballot count was completed at 10 am Monday.
The Nation

No mention, of course, of his or his father's colorful backgrounds.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Chonsawat-wins-local-election-in-Samut-Prakan-30155981.html

Edited August 6, 2013 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

And then, of course, he ended up walking on the policeman case:

Chonsawat gets suspended jail term

By The Nation
Published on October 29, 2008

Chonsawat Asavahame, a son of Puea Pandin Party chief adviser Vatana, yesterday escaped a jail term for assaulting a policeman.

The Criminal Court found Chonsawat and his two aides Sakul Pramoolchai and Pratya Chaiyakul guilty of assaulting a traffic officer from Makkasan police station at 2am on May 21 of last year.

They were also convicted for preventing Pol Sergeant Prarop Saengnil from carrying out his duty to test the blood alcohol level of Chonsawat, now assistant secretary to the information and communications technology minister.

The court sentenced Chonsawat and Sakul to 12 months' imprisonment and a fine of Bt9,000 each, and Pratya to 10 months' jail and a Bt8,000 fine.

The court then suspended the jail terms on grounds that the three defendants had confessed, apologised to the victim and donated Bt100,000 to his police station to buy sports equipment.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/10/29/national/national_30087085.php

Edited August 6, 2013 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

It's strange...the above The Nation report talks about Chonsawat and two aides being sentenced... But then there was a NNT news release at the same time that only mentioned Chonsawat and the two models being sentenced instead....

Chonsawat sentenced 1 year of imprisonment

The Criminal Court has sentenced Chonsawat Assawahem (ชนม์สวัสดิ์ อัศวเหม) of one-year imprisonment for obstructing police authority during the alcohol testing process.

Today, the Criminal Court has ruled out the verdict and sentenced Mr. Chonsawat Assawahem of 1-year incarceration for obstructing police officers who requested him to take the breathalyzer examination at the police checkpoint in the capital on May 20, 2007. Mr. Chonsawat was driving two famous Thai models, Aunchalee and Yossawadee Hussadeewijit back to their residence on Petchaburi road, but was later stopped by the Makkasan station’s police officers. The driver and both passengers had refused to follow polices’ instructions, which led them to physically assault Sergeant Prarop Saengnil (ส.ต.อ.ปรารภ แสงนิล), the Makkasan Traffic polices’ commander.

After examining all the evidences and witnesses, all three defendants were found guilty. However, since the three defendants had admitted their wrongdoings in front of the judges, the Court had then decided to deduct the punishment of Mr. Chonsawat and Miss. Yossawadee to 1-year imprisonment with 9,000 Baht fine, while Miss. Aunchalee would receive 10-month imprisonment and 8,000 Baht fine. Due to the three defendants’ lack of prior criminal records, they would receive probation for 3 years. Nonetheless, the three defendants have to serve 24 hours of community service and check up with their probation officers once for every 4 month.

After the sentence, Mr. Chonsawat told the press that he intends not to appeal and wishes to end this case as soon as possible.

News ID: 255110280012

Reporter : Sorraya Yosyingyong
News Date : 28 October 2008

News ID: 255110280012

Reporter : Sorraya Yosyingyong
News Date : 28 October 2008

http://202.47.224.92/en/news.php?id=255110280012

[monkey4u]

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

But they ARE Superstars in their own small minds

[disagree]

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

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

"Superstar is a term used to refer to a celebrity who has great popular appeal and is widely known, prominent or successful in some field. Celebrities referred to as "superstars" may include individuals who work as actors, actresses, musicians, athletes, and other media-based professions. Particularly notable superstars now receive the appellation megastar."

What's that outrage? Nobody referred to her as megastar

But that series was on all Thai TV screens just a few months ago pretty much everywhere. You had to shout at waitresses a few times more often to get your food done during these hours. She is quite the star here.

"Indian cinema's superstar Rajinikanth is the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan.[1]"

Remember, superstar does not define an international star. We just assume it is because the ones WE know are English speaking. A little bit of less ignorance and arrogance a day, keeps the doctor away.

On topic : Unless she mingles with the convicted fellow, there's not much to see here. Just another guy in exile enjoying the fruits of his work.

Indian stars are a little better known that Thai stars

That's besides the point. The point being to not bash on the star status of cultures you don't follow ( because if you would just slightly, you would know who this article is talking about )

[disagree]

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

But they ARE Superstars in their own small minds

Define superstar. Somebody who speaks your language? Who has the small mind here.

[mca]

Seeing as she's a lakorn actress it would be more appropriate for law enforcement officials to arrest her for crimes against acting and entertainment.

[jayboy]

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!

Whether Pitt/Jolie are overrated is irrelevant.They are certainly global superstars.There are no Thais in this category or even close.In fact there are no Thais at all with wide global recognition.Of course there are popular stars locally but they are not by definition superstars.Thai entertainers are not even popular in the Asian region compared with the Chinese, Japanese or Koreans.There are a few,a very few because most are cheesy,who have the necessary talent and charisma.Bird is an example.But even Bird,like most Thais, doesn't travel well.

[dunque]

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

I thought 'Thai Visa Forum' might b a clue, but it seems you came here by mistake?

[mrfill]

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

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

"Superstar is a term used to refer to a celebrity who has great popular appeal and is widely known, prominent or successful in some field. Celebrities referred to as "superstars" may include individuals who work as actors, actresses, musicians, athletes, and other media-based professions. Particularly notable superstars now receive the appellation megastar."

What's that outrage? Nobody referred to her as megastar

But that series was on all Thai TV screens just a few months ago pretty much everywhere. You had to shout at waitresses a few times more often to get your food done during these hours. She is quite the star here.

"Indian cinema's superstar Rajinikanth is the highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan.[1]"

Remember, superstar does not define an international star. We just assume it is because the ones WE know are English speaking. A little bit of less ignorance and arrogance a day, keeps the doctor away.

On topic : Unless she mingles with the convicted fellow, there's not much to see here. Just another guy in exile enjoying the fruits of his work.

And then after megastar we have gigastar, terastar, petastar and exastar

[Berkshire]

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

Janie.jpeg

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

Yeah, I'd say she's pretty hot....

[disagree]

And then after megastar we have gigastar, terastar, petastar and exastar

Followed by white dwarf and the supernova

[Berkshire]

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

But they ARE Superstars in their own small minds

Define superstar. Somebody who speaks your language? Who has the small mind here.

Agree with you, Mr. Disagree. I can't believe these knobs are arguing about who's a superstar in a country they know so little about. Do they know who's a superstar in Japan? Brazil? France for that matter? That's why I say you can never go wrong underestimating the intelligence of certain TV members.

[disagree]

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!

Whether Pitt/Jolie are overrated is irrelevant.They are certainly global superstars.There are no Thais in this category or even close.In fact there are no Thais at all with wide global recognition.Of course there are popular stars locally but they are not by definition superstars.Thai entertainers are not even popular in the Asian region compared with the Chinese, Japanese or Koreans.There are a few,a very few because most are cheesy,who have the necessary talent and charisma.Bird is an example.But even Bird,like most Thais, doesn't travel well.

See that's where the confusion comes from. You are comparing global superstars to thai superstars. Just the term 'superstar' does not signalize that he/she is known internationally; nor does the article signalize that she is.

I'm just surprised about the vast arrogance in the comments here and on FB everytime somebody mentions a Thai (whichever)star about how they can't be, because they don't know them. It's very arrogant and rude to look down on a nation like this due to personal ignorance. And when I see the same people complain about the rudeness or other behaviors of Thai people, I'm just thinking, "look who's talking".