STARS UP FOR THE DRAFT, KEN SAYS SORRY, AUM’S PRIDE TAKES STAR TURN
Itim has army licked
Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s nephew has applied to join the army for six months rather than chance his luck in the military conscription lottery.
Hearthrob Parit “Itim” Wacharasindhu, 21, a graduate of Oxford University, last week reported to Wat Thong Nai school in Sukhumvit soi 77 as part of this year’s military conscription round.
Itim (“Ice cream” in Thai), who like his uncle before him is keen on a career in politics, passed the physical and will serve in the army for six months. He will report to the 11th Military Circle in Dusit district on Nov 1.
Young graduates who enlist are eligible to serve six months as conscripts, compared to a potential term of two years if they choose to take part in the lottery conscription draw and are unlucky enough to draw a red card.
“I wanted to choose the most transparent, direct way of doing it. I didn’t want to take my chances in the lottery and perhaps end up with an option I didn’t want,” Itim said.
Mr Abhisit was dogged by claims when he served as prime minister that he had dodged conscription.
Former defence minister Sukumphol Suwanatat later dismissed Mr Abhisit from military service, with 23-year retroactive effect. Mr Abhisit had joined the service as a lecturer at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy with the rank of acting sub-lieutenant, exempting him from conscription.
The Supreme Court in January overturned the order, claiming it was unjust. Mr Abhisit has asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate ACM Sukumphol for abuse of power.
Itim denied he had enlisted to help expunge that image from his family’s past.
“The outcome of that matter is now known. I did not take territorial defence training at school, so was called up for the draft. As a Thai, I come under the same law as everyone else, so must do my duty where conscription is concerned,” he said.
A fan of liberal democratic ideals, he said he could join the Democrat Party when he is discharged and consider a run at politics at the election.
“It will depend on whether their values and ideals align with mine at the time,” said Itim.
Actor Mick Tongraya, 25, also chose to enlist rather than take part in the lottery, winning wide admiration on the internet. He said he applied to serve in the air force after obtaining an exemption from the draw in three previous years because he was still studying. He will report for duty in November.
“I am finishing my bachelor’s degree, and have two soap operas lined up as well. After serving, I might enter the monkhood,” he said. Mick was accompanied to the conscription station in Saraburi by his mother.
Meanwhile, actor Pachara “Peach” Chirathivat and singer Saharat “Singto” Hiranthanapuwadol opted to take part in the conscription lottery, but drew black cards which means they do not have to serve.
Peach, who reported to Wat Hua Lamphong school, turned up with his manager. The military said 166 young men were eligible in the district, of whom they wanted nine to serve.
Peach, who said he wanted to play conscription by the rules, urged other young men eligible for the draw to show up and do their duty.
“If I drew a red card, I knew I would have to adapt my plans. But after drawing a black, my life can carry on, including plans to study overseas next year,” he said.
“I slept well last night and wasn’t stressed. I just wanted to get it over with. I had made by choice, and steeled myself for whatever outcome.”
Responding to fan dismay that he had lost his “six pack” of old, Peach admitted he was overweight, as he was worried that conscripts wouldn’t get decent food to eat.
“I have been eating a lot because I was afraid (that as a soldier) I would get nothing,” he laughed.
In a message to other young men called up for the draft, he said: “Thais should do the right thing, as Thailand does not want cheats. No one is above the law, so we should all respect it.”
Singer Singto was all smiles as he pulled a lucky black card from the barrel at his draw in his native Khon Kaen. He had put off the draw for the previous four years. The military said 159 young men were eligible in his district, of whom they wanted 31 to serve. Another 39 had enlisted.
“If if it was red, I decided that’s good, as I would get a chance to serve the nation; but after drawing black, I will throw himself back into work and start studying for my masters degree,” he said.
Elsewhere, singer Chittaphon “Ten” Leechaiyapornkul obtained an exemption on medical grounds from service, after having an operation on his right knee for a meniscus tear. He reported in Pom Prap Sattru Phai district where he handed over doctor’s note.
Meanwhile, Channel 3 actor James Ma, who reported to Wat That Thong school, in Wattana district, asked to put off the draw for a fourth and final time as he is still studying his masters degree.
Ken undoes the damage
A model and national fencing champion has apologised after failing to hose down rumours that he was seeing an A-list actress he now admits he has never met.
Sunsern “Ken Porsche” Ngernrungruangroj said he let his enthusiasm for actress Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund get the better of him, after reports emerged that he had come between her and her boyfriend, heartthrob actor Nadech Kugimiya.
The media reports said Ken had followed Yaya to the set of her TV soap and that the actress, having tired of Nadech, was about to declare him as her new love.
Ken, who said he doesn’t know how the rumour started, admits he should have spoken up sooner to deny it. In fact, he refused to answer reporters’ questions on whether he knew Yaya, and even left a message on social media offering to “look after her” if she had indeed broken up with Nadech.
Yaya, who said she doesn’t know Ken, later took Nadech before the media to insist the pair were still seeing each other. “I come across news like this a lot, but where this individual is concerned feel a little annoyed,” she said, referring to Ken. Yaya’s angry fans hammered Ken on his Instagram, with some barbs even referring in unflattering terms to his parents.
Ken said he had been forced to explain himself to his mother, who had assumed incorrectly the reports that he acted as a “third hand” were true.
“I am just an ordinary guy, a no-name. I am a member of Yaya’s fanclub, and had seen such breakup rumours before. I didn’t think much of it, but my innocent Tweet turned into news.
“Many young men might have written what I did, but the jackpot landed with me. I want people to look at my intentions, which were innocent. I just did it in moment of lively fun,” he said.
Ken denied fanning the rumour to seek publicity, saying he could make his own way in life as a sportsman and a model.
Sandee tears up the place
Actress Patcharapa ‘Aum’ Chaichua says a stray dog she adopted has developed star tendencies, pushing her way into fashion shoots and tearing up the furniture if she is displeased.
Aum, a dog lover, published images on social media recently of her dog Sandee, whom her mother had found abandoned on the road years before. She adopted the dog, an ordinary Thai breed which likes to be part of the star action.
An accompanying clip shows the dog pawing at Aum as she models a dress in front of her home.
In still pictures, the dog, unhappy to be rejected, is pouting with its back turned to its owner. Later, Aum is shown surveying the fall-out at home after she failed to apologise for giving Sandee the cold shoulder.
“She tore up the wallpaper and destroyed a set of curtains in her bedroom,” Aum said.
“This not the first time she has damaged the house. But I can’t bring myself to discipline her because she is too cute.
“I would like to change the room to a more feminine hue...the naked tiles are too manly. But I will wait a while before repairing the room again. I will leave it until her next anger attack and get it all done in one go,” she said.