Once considered the “fallen angel” of Thai showbiz, Pakorn “Dome” Lam has stirred fresh outrage by posting a sexually explicit comment about the daughter of veteran politician Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan. However, it is the timing of the post that has placed him in legal hot water.
Dome reacted to a photograph of Yossuda “Jinnie” Leelapanyalert, 26, with a crude post suggesting sexual arousal just one hour after the new law on sexual harassment came into effect on December 30.
As a result, the 46-year-old model, singer, actor and executive has become the first person in the country to be charged with online sexual bullying – a crime punished by up to three years in jail and/or a fine of 60,000 baht.
Dome apologised profusely for the post, both in person at Thai Sang Thai Party headquarters and in posts online, but his excuse – that he was drunk at a New Year’s party – fell on deaf ears.
The party’s legal team filed a police complaint against the singer, while Sudarat and Yossuda have vowed to go through with court case to set a legal precedent and improve protections for women in Thailand’s male-dominated society.
“I’m speaking out to defend not just my own dignity but also that of all other women, and to show society that sexual harassment and bullying cannot be considered normal,” Yossuda said.
From child star to heartthrob
Pakorn was born in 1979 to a father from Singapore and a mother of Chinese-German descent. He entered showbiz at the age of two, appearing in an advertisement for diapers.
By the time he reached his teenage years, he had advertised more than 50 products, appeared in a couple of films and graced the cover of several magazines.
However, it was not until 1996 that he gained heartthrob status, with the launch of his debut album as a singer under the RS Promotion label.
By the time he was 30, his career had expanded to the small screen with starring roles in several television dramas and series. Fans dubbed him “angel face” for his boyish good looks.
Battling with booze
Yet his angelic image was shattered in 2002 when he ran a red light in his Mercedes Benz and slammed into a taxi, killing two people on the spot. Police ruled he had been drunk driving.
The court found him guilty, but he received a suspended jail term after voicing remorse and handing financial compensation to the victims’ families.
Pakorn escaped the unwanted controversy by flying to the United States and enrolling to study sound engineering. After returning home, he was quickly back in the spotlight as lead singer of rock band NOLOGO.
Trouble, however, was never far away. In 2015, he was summoned for questioning after posting photographs of alcohol in violation of advertising laws.
Once again spared serious punishment, he vowed never to perform at any drinking establishments. However, he faced stinging criticism for promoting drinking after his fatal drunk driving incident.
In 2019, Pakorn married his long-time girlfriend Metal Sukkhao, 12 years his junior and the daughter of a Thai rockstar. Judging by his Instagram account, he remains devoted to his wife: while Pakorn has nearly 2 million followers, he only follows one person – Metal.
Pakorn has also found success in business, including ventures in health innovations. However, his drinking habits continue to overshadow his achievements in other areas of his life.
