Singer Lala Condemns Drunk Fan's Harassment of Mai Patcharee
Thai singer Lala Ponglangsa-on publicly defended colleague Mai Patcharee after a drunken audience member groped her on stage, condemning the harassment and demanding respect for performers. Lala also highlighted chronic payment problems in the entertainment industry, urging hosts to pay deposits and full fees upfront to prevent artists from walking off mid-show.
Singer Lala Ponglangsa-on, also known as Khwannapha Rueangsi, posted on Facebook about the incident involving Mai Patcharee. She wrote: 'Regarding the drama with Mai Patcharee's show, allow me to speak up for her. From the clips I've seen, I feel sorry for the female artist who was excessively harassed on stage. Even if you're the host, it's unacceptable to grope her like that, especially when you're drunk. We singers may be beautiful and funny, but that doesn't mean you can use vulgar language or touch us wherever you want. You should respect us as women and act like a proper host.
Regarding bookings: before a show, a deposit and 100% payment must be made upfront. If that rule were followed strictly, artists would never have to stop performing mid-show. Lala knows the industry inside out. We in the Ponglangsa-on troupe have seen it all: clients who don't pay after the gig, shows stopped mid-way like Mai Patcharee's, hosts who disappear, bounced checks, inability to collect money at the venue, and people begging us to help them out. Some may think money issues are trivial, but for artists who live hand-to-mouth, support families, and face rising fuel costs, it's a matter of survival for many lives.
Stage performances may involve risqué or bawdy humor to create atmosphere — some like it, some don't — but it's still a performance. It doesn't mean anyone can disrespect us. I want people to see the artists behind the entertainment, who create joy for fans. Some have families to feed, live on the edge, sleep in their vehicles, and face unexpected accidents because they love their work and their fans. So please love and support us with kindness and respect. Sending encouragement to my younger sister Mai Patcharee and Tuk Tik Noi.'
