A high-profile alleged sexual abuse case within a wealthy Thai beer brewing family has prompted a wave of painful accounts from survivors of unconnected abuse in the conservative country.
Siranudh Scott (pic), a fourth-generation member of the billionaire Thai family that founded the ubiquitous Singha beer brand, posted an emotional video this month 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.
Siranudh said in a second interview on Sunday 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.
Siranudh, 29, said 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 over a property dispute – what he called his “breaking point” – Siranudh decided to speak out and is now planning to pursue legal action.
After Siranudh’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 Siranudh’s testimony encouraged them to speak publicly for the first time about abuse they had endured, sharing messages of empathy and thanks.
Siranudh 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. — AFP
