Singha beer heir accuses older brother of historic sexual abuse
Psi's Instagram video and TV confessional expose family secrets, sparking national debate.
Thailand's Singha beer dynasty, the Bhirombhakdi family, is embroiled in a scandal after Siranudh Scott (Psi), a 29-year-old environmental activist and fourth-generation heir, publicly accused his older brother Sunit of historic sexual abuse. In an emotional Instagram video on May 9, Psi claimed the abuse occurred during their teenage years and released audio recordings of the brothers discussing the allegations. He said he no longer wants to be known as the 'Singha heir,' alleging the family knew but lacked empathy. The scandal is unprecedented in Thailand, where wealthy families typically keep disputes private.
Sunit responded with his own video, acknowledging bullying Psi during trips home from boarding school in the UK, but flatly denying any sexual abuse, calling the claims 'disgusting and awful.' Psi, known to the public as 'aquaman' for his marine conservation work, followed up with a prime-time appearance on the talk show Hone-Krasae, which garnered 2.4 million YouTube views. The case has prompted media regulators to issue warnings, and the family has responded by sacking an unnamed employee. The scandal highlights a rare public airing of family dysfunction in Thai society, raising questions about power, privilege, and accountability.
- Siranudh Scott (Psi), a Singha beer heir, alleged historic sexual abuse by his older brother Sunit in an Instagram video and on a talk show that got 2.4 million views.
- Sunit admitted to bullying but denied sexual abuse, calling the claims 'disgusting and awful'.
- The scandal is unprecedented in Thailand, where wealthy families rarely air disputes publicly, and has led to a sacking and media warnings.
Why It Matters
A rare public family scandal cracks the veneer of Thailand's elite, challenging silence around abuse and privilege.