Subdistrict Chief Celebrates Promotion, Clashes with Female Singer on Stage Over Extended Performance
A female band vocalist was allegedly pushed by a Krabi subdistrict chief during his promotion party when she refused to extend their performance beyond the agreed midnight end time on May 1st.
Online criticism is mounting after Facebook user Nathrika Dechakul shared a video of a stage confrontation during a party in Mueang Krabi District, where a subdistrict chief and his entourage became involved in an altercation with a female band member. According to the video, the incident involved alleged physical assault and damage to the band's equipment.
The band's female vocalist, known as N'am, recounted that on May 1st, the band was hired to perform at the subdistrict chief's promotion celebration from 9 PM to midnight. As the clock approached midnight, the band was playing their final bonus song when the subdistrict chief came to the stage demanding they continue until 2 AM, threatening not to pay them if they refused. When N'am approached him with a respectful wai to apologize for their inability to extend due to another booking the next day, he allegedly pushed her. She pushed back, and a scuffle ensued. During the confrontation, a man in red allegedly threatened to shoot, saying he would actually do it if they tried to leave. Another man kicked their equipment. Fearing for their safety, the band quickly packed up and left. N'am was too afraid of retaliation to file a complaint at Mueang Krabi Police Station and instead filed a report at Ron Phibun Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Subdistrict Chief Surasak Keotsuk of Thap Prik Subadministration Organization disputed the account in a phone interview, claiming he only went on stage to discuss extending the performance, as the band had suddenly ended their song without notice despite their agreement that extended time would cost 5,000 baht per hour, which he was prepared to pay. He said someone grabbed him first, so he pushed back and was then pushed by the singer, causing his group to become upset. He acknowledged his associates damaged equipment but said he was ready to compensate for the damage. He questioned why the band wouldn't extend when guests were still enjoying themselves and noted there were other bands available for hire. Regarding whether he would file a counter-complaint, Surasak said it was the singer's right to file a complaint and that he was ready to face legal proceedings.
