By PPTVHD36 and AFP – published by France24.com
AFTER mediation in a land ownership dispute between “Psi” Siranudh Scott and his mother Ms. Chiranuj Bhirombhakdi of the Singha beer empire failed, the former dismissed her to an adoptive role with Phra Khanong Civil Court giving both sides opportunity to reach an out of court settlement by July 8 when the first hearing is set to be held.
Chiranuj is suing Psi under Thailand’s “ungrateful child” law, which allows parents to reclaim assets previously given to children deemed unappreciative through their behaviour.
Today’s mediation followed the first round held on June 10 which likewise had failed. Details of the mediation cannot be disclosed by court order. While both parties agreed on some issues, many disagreements remained, preventing a consensus from being reached.
During the mediation, Psi, 29, and his mother did not meet in person as the court separated the sessions.
Psi, whose father is Scottish, said he felt nothing special about her mother’s presence at the mediation, and when asked about current mother-son relationship, he said, “I only have an adoptive mother; she is my mother through DNA.”
Psi also revealed details of a conversation with Mr. Bhurit Bhirombhakdi, or “Tae,” Boon Rawd Brewery’s group CEO, on June 9, which was also attended by Mr. Kanchai Kamnerdploy, or “Num Kanchai.” During the conversation, it was suggested that an internal family meeting be held to consider the future of all parties involved.
Psi stated that following this conversation he received a message from a senior executive of Singha Corporation requesting an open discussion with Tae and asking him to refrain from posting on social media. However, he felt the situation remains unclear.
“If this had been resolved from the beginning, it wouldn’t have reached this point. My life has been greatly damaged by this. I am truly distressed by this,” Sai said.
Despite this message no meeting or concrete solution was found leaving him disappointed as he could not see a clear path to resolving the issue. He emphasised that he is always open to discussion with all parties, but it must include his legal team, as he believes this matter has affected his mental and emotional well-being for a long time.
“I’m not an adult who married into the family; I’m a child who grew up in this family. The wound is very deep. This concerns my safety.”
Psi had posted an emotional video in May accusing his older brother Sunit of repeatedly abusing him when he was a teenager.
Sunit, who is in his 30s, later denied the allegations in a video clip posted online, but Singha parent Boonrawd dismissed him from his executive role with the company.
“I felt I needed to speak out, otherwise I would have been dead inside,” Psi told AFP.
Psi said in a second interview that the alleged sexual abuse occurred from when he was nine to 13 years old, every time his brother returned home from boarding school for the summer.
He added that he first told other family members of the alleged abuse about three years ago but at the time he accepted financial compensation from them to keep quiet.
However, after his mother sued him this year, he decided to speak out and is now planning to pursue legal action.
“I’ve been in a family, in a system, in an institution that’s kept my voice silent,” he said.
Accountability push
One of Thailand’s biggest beer brands, Singha is recognised internationally for its golden lion logo and partnerships with sports giants Chelsea FC and the Haas Formula One team.
After Psi’s allegations surfaced, celebrities and public figures took to social media to share their own experiences of sexual misconduct and abuse — subjects long considered taboo in Thailand.
Patinya Kuantrakul, scion of one of Thailand’s best-known golf courses, said she was raped by her driver at the age of 11, resulting in a pregnancy and abortion.
Influencer and podcaster Taylor Srirat said he was sexually assaulted by his 50-year-old boss when he was 19.
Some commenters said Psi’s testimony — which kicked off the #PsiScott hashtag — encouraged them to speak publicly for the first time about abuse they had endured, sharing messages of empathy and thanks.
Psi said the messages made him “feel so much love and support” from social media users in and outside Thailand.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this kind of push for accountability before from a huge conglomerate family,” he added.
‘Victim-blaming’ culture
Analysts said the public outpouring was unusual in Thailand, where victims often remain silent because of stigma and conservative attitudes towards sexual abuse.
“Thai society places strong emphasis on hierarchy, family reputation and avoiding public shame or conflict,” said Busayapa Srisompong, a human rights lawyer who founded Shero, an organisation offering pro-bono legal aid to sexual violence survivors in Thailand.
“This can make disclosure especially difficult when abuse happens within families or involves respected figures.”
The Bhirombhakdi family, to which Siranudh and his brother belong, is listed as Thailand’s 15th richest by Forbes, which estimates their net worth at $1.75 billion.
Influencer Taylor said many victims in Thailand do not come forward because of a “culture of victim-blaming”.
But attitudes were beginning to change, he said, adding “social media has provided spaces for survivors to feel less alone”.
Thai society has evolved, said social psychology lecturer Apitchaya Chaiwutikornwanich, explaining that young Thais have “learned the concept of human rights and the rights to own one’s body”.
Along with his social status, alleged voice recordings Psi posted confronting his brother about the abuse played a major role in making the allegations more widely believed.
Experts said the case marks an unprecedented shift in Thailand — which never had a #MeToo movement — with Thais more openly discussing sexual harassment and abuse.
‘No one stood by’
An environmental activist, Psi has publicly distanced himself from his family’s Boonrawd business empire – parent of Singha – and said the ocean became his refuge when “no one stood by” him after the alleged assaults.
While many have shown solidarity online, he said Thai laws left him feeling abandoned.
Boonrawd Brewery said in a statement last week that elder brother Sunit had been sacked and the firm would cooperate with any investigations by authorities.
The company did not respond to AFP’s request for comment.
Contact information for Sunit or a legal representative was not available to AFP.
Sunit has denied the accusations of sexual abuse, but acknowledged roughhouse play between boys.
Lawyer Busayapa said creating a safer environment would require society to recognise there is no “perfect victim” and that “sexual violence should be met with genuine zero tolerance”.
Psi said speaking out online had helped him “heal faster”.
“I hope this will set a precedent for other people in Thailand to follow suit,” he added.
CAPTION:
“Psi” Siranudh Scott. Above photo AFP, and inserted and Front Page = PPTVHD36
Also read:
HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha has passed away
Bhutan King lights 1,000 lamps in mourning passing of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha
TV news commentary terminated after taking Newin’s son to task over AI project
Trump says Strait of Hormuz to reopen on Friday under US-Iran deal
Anutin does not dare do anything to ‘boss’s son’ over AI project?
PM pressed to set up panel to investigate ‘Do Help the Blue’ scandal
Cambodia complains about repeated delays in demarcating border
Sunken train station on infamous WWII ‘Death Railway’ resurfaces from reservoir
Ex-deputy House speaker politically banned for life due to illegal forest land grab
Parolee-turned-free Thaksin leaving for Dubai
Administrative Court asked to rule over govt’s 18.8 billion baht add-on budget for the poor
