Trouble hits the young country singer. Katai Pannipa. In full detail, when Kik Sawaree Lertpaiboonvanich, a businessman from Sakon Nakhon and former partner in Katai's dietary supplement brand, filed a lawsuit alleging 22 instances of false company expense claims, or phantom billing.
The singer then decided to terminate the contract, remove product baskets, and delete promotional videos from all online platforms. This dispute led to an audit uncovering irregularities in company expense claims. They also claimed that Katai's contract cancellation caused the company losses amounting to 40 million baht, prompting a criminal fraud case with a hearing scheduled for 3 Aug 2026 GMT+7 to examine evidence.
Recently, Katai Pannipa posted a detailed statement addressing the controversy and fiercely rebutting her former partner, stating:
“Regarding the drama over the collagen brand business partnership with sales over 80 million baht, and the other party accusing me of taking advantage, I have not been idle. I have gathered information and evidence to take legal action.
Concerning the accusation of false expense claims amounting to just over 20,000 baht, there are reasonable explanations for those charges. I sincerely apologize where I was at fault and have personally apologized to him since the incident. I was also ready to pay the 20,000 baht at that time.
There is another side to the story explaining why I canceled the contract and removed the product baskets from my Seller account (while the partner's own Seller channel still has not deleted my face clips, which they continue to use for collagen ads up to now).
Before ending the contract, I sought the best solution for both parties, offering to sell all collagen stock after joint inspection. Or if the partner no longer wished to work with me, I was willing to personally buy all the claimed collagen stock to take responsibility for selling it myself. However, the partner insisted on extending the contract with a new draft lasting five years.
If I refused to sign this contract, the partner threatened to expose private chats between us, where we had discussed third parties in the past (and they sent these to everyone three days after I stopped working). They also threatened to tell the press about the 20,000 baht expense claim, demanding I sign the new contract to avoid reputation damage. This contract would require me to review every product they want, beyond just the collagen brand, including skincare and others, for only 100,000 baht per month, without any sales commission rights.
It also required me to allow continuous 24-hour reruns of my videos on TikTok, hand over two channels I built with over 600,000 followers for reruns, and stipulated that if I wanted to produce new products under my own brand, the partner would exclusively find the factory. They would earn the margin from the factory exclusively. This contract covers five years.
The alleged 40 million baht damages claimed to the media are completely untrue. The claimed stock of 600,000 packs does not exist.
One day after ending the contract, the partner's lawyer called to say the collagen manufacturer sent a letter claiming stock worth 15 million baht. I found this odd since we just ended the contract the day before, yet the factory immediately sent a letter to them the next day. I said if the stock truly exists as claimed, I am ready to take responsibility. My lawyer requested a joint stock inspection with both parties.
However, no further contact was made. The partner's false statements to the media have misled the public and caused me harm.
I have already taken the following legal actions:
1. On unfair contract terms and unclear profit shares from approximately 80 million baht in sales.
2. On alleged VAT embezzlement from our joint business to the partner's private company, and on my personal income tax of 7%, amounting to 245,000 baht. I requested a tax form (Form 50 Twi) for my personal taxes but was told they couldn't issue it. They said if they did, I might be taxed twice (which I do not understand). I have evidence of tax deductions.
3. On threats to expose private chats mentioning third parties to force an unfair five-year contract. I have filed a police complaint for extortion.
Investigations are ongoing with police and my legal team preparing to take the case to court.
All my statements are supported by evidence and I am ready to prove the truth in court. I will also face the lawsuit filed against me through the justice system.
Regarding public opinion, I am willing to clarify my side together with the opposing party only on the program "Hon Krasae". I have informed the production team of my available dates.
After ending the contract, many brand owners have contacted me for work. I sincerely thank everyone for their support and belief in my potential. I will work diligently and responsibly, including those offering me musical opportunities. I will continue to create music for my fans.
I thank all my fans for withholding judgment and waiting to hear my side today.
#ThankYou
Additionally, Katai Pannipa posted clarifications about stock inventory after the opposing party claimed huge stock worth 40 million baht, saying, "Since my partner posted a defense after I clarified about the collagen business, they claimed there is 'huge stock worth 40 million baht' in damages. I firmly deny this. If I am mistaken, I ask my partner to prove the stock truly exists as claimed.
I have purchase orders showing typical orders of about 30,000 packs per flavor each time, costing 38 baht and 24 baht per pack. If the stock was indeed left and damaged worth 40 million baht as claimed, there would have to be about 1,000,000 packs in storage.
Also, my partner did not bear the entire production cost of several tens of millions alone as reported, but funds were withdrawn directly from the Seller TikTok Shop to the manufacturer's bank account. I had to sell products first; when sales revenue entered the Seller account, the partner withdrew money to pay the factory each round in installments. This money mainly came from clips with my face used in shopping baskets and rerun live streams.
I ask media pages reporting that I caused 40 million baht in damages to help coordinate so we can jointly verify the stock as soon as possible (to prevent suspicions of rushing new production to fake old stock as claimed), with a neutral party present to confirm the true stock as the partner alleges and reported. If the stock does not exist, it may mean they #misled the media and spread false news.
I apologize to everyone for posting about this drama, but I seek fairness. If I am wrong, I accept responsibility. But if the truth is distorted, I must defend myself. #ThankYou"
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