Cambodian tycoon's attack on actress prompts uproar

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Cambodian tycoon's attack on actress prompts uproar

SOPHENG CHEANG, Associated press

JOCELYN GECKER, Associated press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — In the grainy black-and-white video the tycoon is seen dragging the actress off a leather couch at a Phnom Penh restaurant. He throws her to the ground, kicks her head and pummels her with body blows.

Now the man is pleading for mercy in a case that has outraged Cambodia. The 1-minute video, which the actress and TV personality known to fans as "Sasa" posted on her Facebook page last week, has become the focus of social media and morning talk shows and put pressure on police to deliver justice in a country where the wealthy often act with impunity.

"He pulled my hair and smashed my head against the floor. He was punching and kicking me. I was in shock, I couldn't believe what was happening," Sasa, whose real name is Ek Socheata, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Wednesday. Photographs she provided, which ran in Cambodian newspapers, show her with bruises over her body, a black eye and bloodied fingers and knees.

The attacker, a married and middle-aged property tycoon named Sok Bun, admits he made a mistake and said he is trying to pay for it.

"I, Sok Bun, deeply regret what happened," he said in a statement issued Tuesday. "I could not control myself."

He offered to pay his victim $40,000 to make the case go away, then upped the offer to $100,000, which she has rejected. He has now appealed to Prime Minister Hun Sen to take pity on him and guarantee his freedom.

Sok Bun disappeared a day after the video began circulating online and is believed to be in Singapore, police say. In a second statement issued Tuesday, he said he was "absent from Cambodia" for medical treatment and will return when "my security is guaranteed."

Sok Bun's conciliatory statements coincided with growing calls for his arrest, from the public and senior government officials. Interior Minister Sar Kheng ordered police on Tuesday to do their jobs and find Sok Bun.

"If he escapes, it will be an insult to us," the interior minister was quoted as saying by The Phnom Penh Post. "We cannot accept that."

National police spokesman Kirt Chantharith said authorities had tracked him down to Singapore and would find a way to bring him back.

"We know where he is hiding. He will not get away with this," said the police spokesman. "The interior minister has ordered his arrest, and we will find him."

The attack occurred at a Japanese restaurant in the Cambodian capital in the early hours of July 2. It was captured by the restaurant's security cameras and obtained by Sasa, who then posted it online.

The 28-year-old actress, who hosted a popular entertainment show on Cambodian TV, says she was protecting a friend from the drunken advances of Sok Bun when he flew into a rage. His bodyguard is seen in the video pointing a pistol at the actress' head as his boss attacks her.

"I cannot forget what he did to me," said Sasa. "I don't want his money. I want to see him in court."

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-07-16

[MB1]

Seems to me like the wealthy of Cambodia have been learning from their neighbouring Thai wealthy people that they can act with impunity and pay off their victims....

[keith101]

any man who uses physical violence against a female is just a coward and should have his balls cut off

[Briggsy]

The only thing not normal for Cambodia here is the fact that the less well-connected party were able to get their hands on the CCTV video.

[IamNoone88]

Overseas for medical treatment .... having his head examined + anger management .....

[Tywais]

Seems he may have headed to Singapore or in hiding. Cambodia daily

[geovalin]

If you want to know the whole story from the beginning, the 3 first articles published on 10, 14 morning and 14 afternoon are here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839362-tuesday-afternoon-update-tycoon-sought-in-brutal-attack/

[geovalin]

PPP article this morning:

Tycoon wants ‘understanding’

Thu, 16 July 2015

Buth Reaksmey Kongkea and Charles Parkinson

Fugitive property tycoon Sok Bun has said he will return to Cambodia to appear in court over his alleged brutal assault of a former TV star, though he insists he must complete medical treatment in Singapore first.

In a letter released by his lawyer late on Tuesday evening, Bun said he would “come back to be responsible, to find the truth and justice,” but said that depends on first receiving clearance from his doctor.

“I would like understanding from the public, and I call on the authorities to please give me a chance to cooperate,” he said, having pleaded to Prime Minister Hun Sen to guarantee his freedom in a letter released earlier that day.

read more: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/tycoon-wants-understanding

[realenglish1]

It now seems that Singapore is the place wealthy Asians run when the they cannot directly pay officials off. Case in point is Vorayuth Yoovidhya whi killed that cop in 2012.

He is in hiding for fear of being prosecuted Just extradite these guys back to their countries and let them face the music.

It would now seem that the resistance is coming from Singapore Which official is being paid off to turn a blind eye ?

[FangFerang]

It now seems that Singapore is the place wealthy Asians run when the they cannot directly pay officials off. Case in point is Vorayuth Yoovidhya whi killed that cop in 2012.

He is in hiding for fear of being prosecuted Just extradite these guys back to their countries and let them face the music.

It would now seem that the resistance is coming from Singapore Which official is being paid off to turn a blind eye ?

It doesn't take a genius to compare the vigorous pursuit of extraditing those accused of lese majesty and the total lack of effort to extradite "Vorayuth Yoovidhya whi killed that cop in 2012".

Enforcement of laws is very selective witrh this and every Thai government, as well as (usually) Cambodia.

[canman]

These scumbag thin skinned pricks sicken me.

Singapore should be ashamed at letting Aholes like this shelter here. Unfortunately in Singapore money is god.

[IAMHERE]

Truly an indictment of the Cambodian Medical Profession. Hope he uses some of his wealth to better the education of Cambodian doctors.

I'm sure guys kicking the heck out of women happens everyday and every night in Cambodia, only shocking because it is on tape for the world to see.

Edited July 16, 2015 by IAMHERE

[ourmanflint]

He doesn't look very Khmer, more Chinese warlord I'd say.

[atyclb]

any man who uses physical violence against a female is just a coward and should have his balls cut off

under such circumstances as portrayed in this story yes. not if a woman is threatening bodily harm and or wielding a weapon. cambodia is perhaps the number one country wher women use acid to attack others.

[atyclb]

Truly an indictment of the Cambodian Medical Profession. Hope he uses some of his wealth to better the education of Cambodian doctors.

I'm sure guys kicking the heck out of women happens everyday and every night in Cambodia, only shocking because it is on tape for the world to see.

even though this is thaivisa, what exactly is the line of reasoning you used to reach the conclusion of "Truly an indictment of the Cambodian Medical Profession" ???

this G7 high school graduate wants to know!

[Briggsy]

He doesn't look very Khmer, more Chinese warlord I'd say.

Despite the best genocidal efforts of the Rouge, the Chinese have come back and taken up where they left off (read : expelled or hacked/clubbed to death) and taken over Cambodia's commercial sector squeezing out the Viets. Cambodian nationality (and a Khmer name) are very easy to come by given sufficient cash and a few connections if you are Chinese.

[DrTuner]

Does Cambodia have lakorns? If so, it's just monkey see, monkey do, somnamnaa for the "actresses".

[natway09]

This is SEA. Money talks then you can walk. Did the Red Bull heir ever come back or still "sheltering" in Singapora

[IMBabaBobo]

Does Cambodia have lakorns? If so, it's just monkey see, monkey do, somnamnaa for the "actresses".

<deleted>, you jerk! You think this woman deserved a beating? I swear, Thai Visa is a F-n meeting ground for the worst scum that comes to Thailand. Almost everyone who posts on Thai Visa forums are mean, worthless losers who never amounted to anything in their own country, but find it acceptable to armchair critique everyone else. You never had a life, so there's not much chance you'll find one here or anywhere.

[DrTuner]

Does Cambodia have lakorns? If so, it's just monkey see, monkey do, somnamnaa for the "actresses".

<deleted>, you jerk! You think this woman deserved a beating? I swear, Thai Visa is a F-n meeting ground for the worst scum that comes to Thailand. Almost everyone who posts on Thai Visa forums are mean, worthless losers who never amounted to anything in their own country, but find it acceptable to armchair critique everyone else. You never had a life, so there's not much chance you'll find one here or anywhere.

I take it you're not a connoisseur of Thai soaps then? The "actresses" in those take a beating at least daily, if not getting raped, shot, killing each other with sharp objects or whatever happens to be the violent flavor of the day. They're setting the role model. Spend a day or two in the sticks and see how the locals suck up the life of the rich and famous "superstars".

As for your attack, thanks for the cookie, yum.

[MW72]

Does Cambodia have lakorns? If so, it's just monkey see, monkey do, somnamnaa for the "actresses".

<deleted>, you jerk! You think this woman deserved a beating? I swear, Thai Visa is a F-n meeting ground for the worst scum that comes to Thailand. Almost everyone who posts on Thai Visa forums are mean, worthless losers who never amounted to anything in their own country, but find it acceptable to armchair critique everyone else. You never had a life, so there's not much chance you'll find one here or anywhere.

The phrase "it takes one to know one" first sprang to mind but that would imply that I felt that way about DrTurner which I don't. You don't really know anyone on this forum. You just have a high and mighty opinion of yourself.