Settlement announced in #kraabrotku case involving TV host ‘Nott’

The event, which was caught on video, quickly became viral on social media. The two disputing parties later shook hands in front of the media outside Southern Bangkok Criminal Court after a successful settlement.

Both sides agreed not to press further charges after Akanat, 29, agreed to pay the Bt180,00 compensation to Kittisak Singto, 25. A judge is scheduled to render a verdict in the case on June 30.

Before the talks, Kittisak’s lawyer Songkran Atchariyasap told reporters that his client had not received any compensation from Akanat following the alleged altercation.

Songkran said his client’s broken nose had still not healed despite two operations, adding he would formally ask the court to list him as co-plaintiff in the criminal case.

Akanat and his friend and passenger that day, Wittawat Sribunditmongkol, face a series of charges: assault causing bodily harm, punishable by between six months and 10 years in prison; threatening to harm a person to compel them to do something, punishable by up to three years’ jail, a Bt6,000 fine or both; illegal detention, punishable by up to three years’ prison, a Bt6,000 fine or both; humiliating or bullying someone in public, punishable by up to a month in jail, a Bt1,000 fine or both. Thousands of people have watched the video posted online that appears to show Akanat punching Kittisak in the face on a Bangkok street last November 4, allegedly demanding that he apologise for a collision that left the TV star’s Mini Cooper damaged.

Kittisak claimed his motorbike had been knocked off balance by a passing taxi and he struck Akanat’s car. He said he tried to chase the taxi, but then returned to the scene and was assaulted by Akanat, who ordered him to kraab, or show obeisance, to the Mini Cooper.

The words the celebrity used – “kraab rot ku”, or “kneel and wai before my car” – became a popular satirical hashtag on Twitter.