May 25, 2026 | Burma Independent Voice
Allegations of sexual abuse within the family owning Thailand’s wealthiest beer company, Singha, have prompted a painful wave of disclosures from other victims within the country’s traditionally conservative society.
Theiranut “Psi” Scott, a fourth-generation descendant of the billionaire family that founded the ubiquitous Singha beer brand, posted an emotional video online this month accusing his older brother, Sunit, of repeated sexual abuse during their teenage years.
Although Sunit, who is in his 30s, denied the allegations in a separate online video, Boonrawd Brewery—the parent company of Singha—dismissed him from his executive role on Tuesday.
“I felt I needed to speak the truth; otherwise, my soul would have died,” Theiranut, 29, told AFP late last week. In a second online interview on Sunday, he added that the abuse occurred every time his brother returned home from boarding school during summer breaks when he was between 9 and 13 years old.
Theiranut revealed that he first disclosed the abuse to his family about three years ago, but accepted a financial settlement at the time to keep the matter quiet. However, after his mother sued him earlier this year over a land ownership dispute, he reached a breaking point and decided to expose the truth. He is currently preparing to pursue legal action.
Singha, recognizable by its golden mythical lion logo, is one of Thailand’s largest beverage brands with a major international presence, including partnerships with English Premier League club Chelsea and the Haas Formula One team.
Following Theiranut’s allegations, numerous Thai celebrities and prominent figures have taken to social media to share their own harrowing experiences of sexual abuse—a topic long considered taboo in Thailand.
Patinya Kuantrakul, from the billionaire family owning one of Thailand’s most famous golf courses, revealed that she was raped by the family chauffeur at age 11, resulting in a pregnancy and subsequent abortion. Meanwhile, influencer and podcaster Taylor Srirat disclosed that she was sexually harassed by her 50-year-old supervisor when she was 19.
Many internet users have shown support using the viral hashtag #PsiScott, stating that his disclosure gave them the courage to publicly speak out about their own experiences of abuse for the first time.
Moved by the widespread support, Theiranut said he felt overwhelmed by the “love and support” from netizens within Thailand and abroad. He noted, “I have never seen the public push for accountability against such a powerful business dynasty like this before.”
Experts say this public outcry is highly unusual in Thailand, where victims frequently remain silent due to social stigma and deeply conservative attitudes surrounding sexual abuse.
“Thai society places immense value on hierarchy, family reputation, and avoiding public shame or conflict,” explained Busayapa Srisompong, a human rights lawyer and founder of Shero, an organization providing pro bono legal aid to sexual violence survivors in Thailand. “This makes it incredibly difficult to speak out when the abuse occurs within the family or involves highly respected figures in the community.”
The Bhirombhakdi family, to which Theiranut and his brother belong, is ranked by Forbes as Thailand’s 15th richest family, with a net worth estimated at $1.75 billion.
The influencer Taylor noted that while a “victim-blaming culture” historically deterred survivors from coming forward in Thailand, perceptions are shifting. “Social media platforms have succeeded in creating spaces where victims no longer feel isolated,” she said.
Aphichaya Chatwutikornwanich, a lecturer in social psychology, explained that Thai society is evolving, with younger generations showing a deeper understanding of human rights and bodily autonomy. Observers added that the audio recordings published by Theiranut, in which he confronted his brother over the abuse, played a crucial role in building public trust in his allegations.
Commentators suggest this case could mark an unprecedented historic turning point for open discussion on sexual harassment in Thailand, a country that has yet to experience a widespread #MeToo movement.
Theiranut, who now works as a conservationist, has publicly distanced himself from the family’s Singha beer empire. He reflected that during the abuse, when he had no one to turn to, the ocean became his sole sanctuary.
Despite the groundswell of online support, Theiranut expressed frustration with Thai legal frameworks, feeling abandoned by the law. His mother filed a lawsuit against him utilizing Thailand’s “ungrateful child law,” a statute that allows parents to revoke previously gifted assets from children deemed to exhibit behavioral deviations.
Boonrawd Brewery stated last week that it had terminated Sunit’s employment and would fully cooperate with any official investigation by authorities, though it declined to respond to further inquiries from AFP.
Sunit has maintained his innocence, denying the sexual abuse allegations and characterizing the incidents as rough, brotherly play.
Human rights lawyer Busayapa advised that to cultivate a safer environment, society must understand that a “perfect victim” does not exist and foster a culture of absolute zero tolerance toward all forms of sexual violence.
Theiranut stated that exposing the truth online has accelerated his emotional healing process. “I hope this case serves as a guiding light and a lesson for other survivors in Thailand,” he added.
