Actress “Mai” Davika Hoorne says Thais who dropped in to the Cannes film festival last week were delighted to see her, even if Thais at home were hammering her on the internet for failing to credit a fashion house for an outfit she wore.
Mai, back in Bangkok after a seven- day visit to Cannes where she represented the Magnum ice-cream brand at a “global event” held on the fringes of the festival, said she was proud to have been sent to Cannes, even if she did not get to walk the red carpet like actress “Chompoo” Araya Hargate.
Davika ‘Mai’ Hoorne.
The drama started after netizens published images of Mai wearing a white dress suit by fashion label Asava at Magnum’s party. Critics observed she failed to credit the label for the outfit, even though they gave it to her for free in the hope of gaining publicity.
Some reports say Mai had asked for changes to the outfit just three days before she left Bangkok. When the fashion label sent it to her again, she was still unhappy, but Asava refused to make further changes, as they tailored the outfit to suit the concept specified by their client, Magnum.
Asava’s founder, designer “Moo” Piyasombatkul, is said to have told Mai: “Wear it or not, but that’s it.”
Some netizens believe Mai was unhappy with the response, so failed to credit the firm when she posted pictures of herself at the Magnum party. They say a designer who accompanied Mai also changed the outfit from the original as supplied by the label, adding a cape to the original dress suit. When the images of Mai first emerged, designer Moo pretended no longer to recognise it. “Is that ours? I found out only today.”
He published images of a strawberry to show his displeasure. That triggered a rash of similar “strawberry” (like blowing a raspberry) protests by some of the nation’s top designers, for whom credits are a sensitive issue.
Critics say Mai wanted the outfit to look more like a lush, flowing garment which stars wear on the red carpet. Mai, however, insists she was happy to attend Magum’s “global event”, as plenty of Hollywood stars were there too.
“Please don’t compare me with Chompoo,” she said. Chompoo, unlike Mai, strode the red carpet at the festival, and drew heavy publicity in a series of lavish high-couture outfits last week. “They were different events; I didn’t get to meet Chompoo, though I drew plenty of attention at the Magnum party, and was proud to tell foreigners I am a Thai.”
Asked why she failed to credit Asava, Mai said she was in such a rush she forgot. She wore outfits by two fashion labels while in Cannes. “On the first day I had just two hours to change outfits. I forgot to credit Asava, but we were in a terrific hurry.”
The next morning she tagged her Instagram post to her make-up artist and hair designer, but again forgot Asava. “If you had been with me, you’d know just how much of a frantic hurry we were in,” she said.
Her manager had contacted Asava to apologise, but Moo did not return calls. Mai said even as designers were conducting the “strawberry” campaign against her at home, some broke ranks to send her messages of encouragement. “It’s a small industry. I will seek out Moo to apologise,” she said.
Concerns over attacker’s ‘influence’
Singer “View” Chatchuwan “RSiam” says he fears the influence of a young man who stabbed him outside a city pub last week and is considering laying a police complaint.
‘View’ Chatchuwan ‘RSiam’.
Country music singer View, 31, was stabbed twice in the ribs after an altercation with a group of teens at a Chokchai pub on June 13. He was admitted to Lat Phrao hospital where he received three stitches.
Speaking to reporters from the hospital, where doctors have declared him out of danger, View said he and friends were celebrating the birthday of his manager at the pub when a group of teens challenged them.
“We were dancing and the place was packed. We might have bumped into their table,” he said.
After an initial exchange of words, View said the teens lay in wait for him after the pub closed. The ringleader approached View and said: “Do you know who my senior is,” implying he has someone of influence who looks after him.
View said he didn’t, and the two argued. The singer said the teen struck him over the head, but he didn’t want trouble so walked away. However, the young man came in pursuit and punched him. View said he pushed back, and the teen fell to the ground.
“Just then I heard one of the younger ones in our group call ‘Watch out! He has a knife,’ ” View said.
The teen stabbed him, before staff from the pub and his friends managed to separate the pair. His friends took him to hospital where View was admitted to ICU.
“It was just two groups of young people drinking too much and getting boisterous,” he said.
“However, I will consult my elders about taking legal action, as I admit being worried about his influential friends,” View said, referring to the teen’s boast.
Chokchai police said they had heard reports of the altercation, which they said were common at that pub straight after closing, with customers lying in wait for other revellers in the hope of picking fights.
Actress rejects fan’s offer
Actress Diana “Dai” Jongjintanakarn has laid a police complaint against an admirer who offered her 520,000 baht on social media to be his kept woman.
Dai joined actress friend “Diana” Ann Cahill in laying a complaint with Technology Crime Suppression Division police last week after her admirer refused to let up despite an initial burst of publicity early this month.
“The first time, I published excerpts from his chat on social media but blurred out his name and face. Now I have made them public,” she said.
Under the offer, her admirer asks if he could look after Dai for six months. In return for the money, she must meet him five times a month, for three hours a time.
Dai’s friend, Diana Ann Cahill, said she had received a similar proposal from an admirer, who offered her 120,000 baht a month if she would be his kept woman. In return for that, they would have to meet five times a month, for three hours at a time. The two women say a third celebrity friend, Joy Achariya, has also been approached.
“I tried to contact him on his Facebook, but he has now closed it down,” Dai added, saying she wanted the man to show more respect to women.
Diana Cahill said she asked the man if he was not afraid of getting caught by police.
”I am not interested. I just want to buy happiness,” he replied.
Police are investigating.
Diana ‘Dai’ Jongjintanakarn.
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.