POOMPUANG SPIRIT RESTIVE, DOCTOR CALLS, STRONG-ARMED
Singer’s family pans medium
Fans and family of the former queen of country music Poompuang Duangjan have rounded on a medium who claims she was channeling her in a recent temple performance which ended with her collapsing in front of her shrine.
The medium, who calls herself Taosrisuwan Pirompakdee on social media, posted a clip last week of her performing at an unidentified temple where fans had gathered before a shrine of the former singing star, also known as Phueng, who died aged 30, in June, 1992 from lupus disease.
She is dressed in a sari, and works her way before the crowds accompanied by one of Phueng’s songs, before starting to dance in front of a makeshift shrine. She finally collapses in a heap and has to be helped up.
The clip, shared widely on social media, comes amid recent publicity about sham mediums and sparked a strong response from her fans and family. Phueng’s former husband, Kraisorn Leelamekin, accompanied by his son, country music singer Sorapob “Petch’’ Leelamekin, went on TV to warn the woman against impersonating Phueng.
Kraisorn is recently back from an overseas trip with his son, his only child from his union with Phueng, to visit her fans overseas and mark the coming 26th anniversary of the former star’s death. He said he did not believe the woman in the clip was Phueng, as they did not dance the same, nor share the same appearance.
“If Poompuang’s spirit inhabits another body, she would probably appear in the body of family or relatives. I don’t want to disparage such thinking, but personally speaking I don’t believe in it or agree with it.
“There’s no need for a medium, because my son and I feel as if Poompuang is still with us,” he said. Poompuang was a modern woman who did not fall for superstition too easily.
His son Petch said he could tell the woman in the clip was not his mother. “I have spoken to many people who call, some from overseas, claiming to be her spirit. I ask a few questions and they are unable to answer correctly. If she is really my mum in that medium’s body she would be able to answer,” he said.
Mr Kraisorn, who manages Poompuang’s estate and owns the right to her name, images and recordings, said many mediums had come forward claiming to be channelling her spirit. While he welcomed fan interest in his former wife, he would have to ask why they were doing it.
“Do they want money or to sell talismans? If it’s something which causes damage or twists the truth, we will have to talk,” he said.
Mr Kraisorn said he would like to take advantage of this occasion to hand over the right to manage his former wife’s estate to his son Petch. In future, anyone wanting to make use of her name or work would have to contact him. “He is a very forthright person,” Mr Kraisorn said.
Petch and his father reconciled four years ago after fighting bitterly for years over Phueng’s memory, with Petch accusing his father of abusing him, a claim he later withdrew, and his father urging the fiery young man to get his head read.
Online lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch, who also appeared on the show, handed over a legal transfer document on Mr Kraisorn’s behalf, which Petch signed on air. The lawyer said people who impersonate others for personal gain can be sued, especially if it results in damages.
Despite denying the medium in the clip is who she claims, Mr Kraisorn, like other members of Phueng’s family, claim they have themselves been visited by Poompuang’s spirit.
Mr Kraisorn said her spirit appeared behind him one day shortly after she died.
“We used to take showers together and I thought I felt someone soaping and rubbing my back. I said if she wants to appear, she should appear looking beautiful. Nothing happened, but I felt as if she was close to me,” he said.
Appearing on another show, Phueng’s younger sister, Janjuang “Kai” Jithan, said the family was chatting together once when they started speaking in different voices.
She believes Phueng’s spirit had paid them a visit. She told them a trader would appear with an object for them to buy. Kai said that, sure enough, a man appeared with an item of jewellery, which they bought.
When he went to take a photograph as a keepsake, he found his camera phone refused to process the image. When that happened, they knew Phueng did not want the image shared with anyone else.
Kai criticised the woman in the clip, saying the performance was over the top. “Phueng liked to wear a sari, but dressed up for particular songs; she was fussy about her dress. She wouldn’t do anything to make herself look stupid.”
A fan and avid collector of Phueng memorabilia, Jirapat “CD” Chanasit, who also went on TV to discuss the clip furore, said she didn’t believe the singer’s spirit had paid the woman a visit.
“Sacred objects have two forms, the abstract and tangible. Isn’t it better to be interested in the tangible? There are songs and pictures of the real thing to look at, there’s no need to look at this person,” he said.
Petch said the woman in the clip had told the media she loves Poompuang, and had no intention of doing any harm. “We won’t take any action in this case, just give her a warning,” he said.
Mor Oak sees red over FB site
A celebrity couple have complained to police after a Facebook site claimed incorrectly they were presenting a weight-loss product.
Former singer “Oak” Smith Arayasakul, now a doctor, and his wife, actress and DJ Panisara “Opal” Pimpru, complained to Thong Lor police last week after the Facebook site DayDayBoom claimed they backed the product.
He said the owner refused to take it down even after he reported the site and warned them. Mor Oak said he has no idea why they singled him out and he has no connection with the site.
The site mentions he is a doctor, along with his position at the hospital which employs him, its name and logo, as if the product has their backing. In another attempt to lend it some legitimacy, he also appears in a doctor’s gown, which Mor Oak said he cannot accept.
“Using a picture of a doctor’s gown to help sell a product is illegal. I love my profession and am scrupulous to avoid such things even with the products I do sell,” he said.
Mor Oak, who says the site was put together with edited images, also filed a complaint with the Technology Crime Suppression police.
Opal said she had received many angry emails from fans asking why they were backing the product. Cosmetic and dietary products are under scrutiny amid a crackdown by police on celebrities offering paid endorsements, masquerading as “reviews”.
She said the goods advertised along with the couple’s image on the FB site sold for more than 1,000 baht each and had left some fans unsatisfied. “If you are not sure about a product, look at the details, or if you are still unsure if we are involved, check on our IG,” she said.
Singer hatches indie plan
A teenage look tung singer has made good on her promise to go “indie” after falling out with her manager and plunging a multi-million baht singing duo which he oversaw into tatters.
Arm Chutima, 18, who penned the hit Pu Sao Kha Loh for her friend and co-singer Lamyai Haithongkham, propelling Lamyai to fame on YouTube, is waiting for elders to help ease the rift with her former manager Prachakchai Naowaras, whom she claims treated her unfairly.
She says Prachakchai paid her a pittance compared to the 70-30 split they agreed, and slyly bought the rights to three of her songs, which have since become hits, without disclosing he was now the owner.
The pair are at odds over the fate of the songs, and a five-year management contract she signed with him, which has three years left to run.
Back in Bangkok last week after a short break with her family in Isan, Arm unveiled the name of her new manager, Annsaya Taros, and said she was now accepting work with a band.
Previously she said she was unable to perform her songs as she was afraid Prachakchai will sue. This made life difficult for her family, as she was the main breadwinner. She had consulted a lawyer in Bangkok, who was preparing to contact Prachakchai.
“I am feeling better, but still a bit unhappy as the contract matter is still up in the air. I would like to tear it up.”
She said if Prachakchai really wants to go ahead with legal action, she will counter-sue. Her former manager has yet to comment on the latest developments.