Gubgib apologises for planning a happy life
One of Thailand's most cherished traditions is having celebrities make heart-rending public apologies when they’ve committed some sort of faux pas, preferably televised live on every channel and uploadable for the social networks.
Actress Sumonthip “Gubgib” Leuangutai must have been less than pleased to be the latest star upholding this tradition, given that her “sin” is getting pregnant. Well, okay, she’s not married, which certainly complicates matters, but it’s hardly a war crime, right?
Invariably referred to as “the former girlfriend of hunky actor Mario Maurer” – despite having broken up with him more than two years ago – Gubgib felt compelled to confess that she’s carrying the baby of her Thai-Taiwanese boyfriend Thassapak “Bie” Hsu.
Let it be noted that they do intend to marry, however. “We’ve actually been engaged for almost three months,” Bie pointed out in his co-apology at the requisite press conference, “and our families are delighted with this news. It changes nothing except for accelerating our wedding plans.”
The bigger surprise is that the pregnancy was no accident, which sort of spoiled the whole guilty premise. And, once it happened, “We were thrilled and I went to see a doctor the same day I tested positive,” Gubgib said. Bie said he even shed tears of joy.
So why were they saying sorry? Oh, right, they’re not married, which they readily acknowledged is a major transgression in Thailand. Gudgib’s fans don’t seem offended, though. They’ve showered her with congratulations on the social media and applauded her for maintaining her characteristic upbeat attitude.
“Gudgib always has a handsome boyfriend,” one fan sighed on Facebook. Yes, said another, because she has such a good sense of humour and is nice to be with. And she’s never been involved in a major scandal like other stars, chimed in the rest.
Just how accelerated is the wedding? It’s set for January 23 – that’s pretty quick – at a Bang Rak church, followed by a beach party cum traditional Thai wedding on March 6. “I’ll do my best to take care of her,” Bie told the press, who hadn’t even thought to wonder.
Sek’s ex turns the tables
Rock musician Seksan “Sek Loso” Sukpimai isn’t really one to worry about anything, but just in case he’d fretted that his ex-wife “Karn” Wipakorn might blow the entire Bt17-million divorce settlement he gave her this year, he can relax – well, sort of. She’s just launched her own record label.
With no idea how much she might earn back from her investment, Karn has set up Luster Entertainment, which will soon debut with an album from singer Sirichok “Ball” Saetang.
“I have seven artists signed up and I’m already making the first album,” she said on the set of Ball’s first music video, in which her teenage son (and Sek’s), Setthakarn (nicknamed Sua), has a leading role.
Reporters asked if Sua has a singing career ahead of him too. “No!” she said firmly. He’s heading to university in Washington DC. “He kept asking me whether I needed his help in the company, since he’s good at computers, but I asked him to be in a music video instead.”
So Sek doesn’t have to worry about his son becoming a showbiz rival anytime soon, but he’s got to be wondering what Luster has up its record sleeves.
