For the first time since gaining freedom, the actor spoke openly and candidly. Sam Yuranan Phamornmontri. Recently, he went live on TikTok for the first time with Dr. Khonkwan. In the clip, Sam appeared happy and lively despite facing the biggest life storm in his 60-plus years: an accusation of defrauding the public. At one point, he couldn't hold back tears, breaking down as he admitted feeling like a heartbreak, as if the world had massively collapsed on him.
Sam said, "I'm happy to see everyone welcome me because I also thought that in my life, I’ve always been very careful. After more than 60 years, before posting photos on Facebook or Instagram, I think thoroughly about which pictures to post, how, and whether they benefit anyone. I consider if the information is useful and avoid anything inappropriate. Even a single comment, I delete or correct it because I deeply care about people in my life."
"I'm an old-school actor. We were taught to be role models for the public. When I played a doctor, do you know the impact it had? Back then, in the series 'Khaehas See Daeng,' I played Dr. Ruj. I recall a big company owner—though I won't mention his name—once told me that whenever I’m free, he’d like to meet me and hire me because his daughter loves this series. She wants to become a doctor and asked if I could bring her a prize if she ranked first."
"I didn’t take any fee that day. Since the filming was nearby, I went to meet her with a teddy bear to give her. She was so happy. Then, about 10 years later, I met her again. She recognized me, but I didn’t remember. She came up and said, ‘I’m the one you gave the teddy bear to. Now, I’m a doctor.’"
"I remember that clearly because we are role models in many ways. In old films, love scenes were limited; certain things were not acceptable because we were examples in many respects. So, I have always been very cautious and considerate of others."
When asked if he could turn back time, what he would change or fix, since he is very careful and wouldn't have ended up in such trouble, Sam laughed and replied, "Because when the world collapses, it crashes down on me massively. I feel heartbroken. Saying this brings tears to my eyes (he wipes his tears with a tissue)."
"Believe it or not, when I posted pictures on Instagram and Facebook, I saw hundreds of thousands of likes. I cried because I felt that hundreds of thousands still love me. I apologize for underestimating my fans’ kindness because I thought, when I stopped acting in my early 40s, the wave had reached shore, and new people would come in. So, I stopped for over 10 years without acting. I thought people would forget me. But it turns out they still watch old YouTube videos and so on. When I returned with the series 'Bai Mai Tee Plid Pliew,' I won several awards and people loved it. They never abandoned me like I thought. (But I abandoned them?) I apologize."
Additionally, Sam continued, "Previously, I felt like I was being attacked by something. But I want everyone—fans and followers—to believe that I would never harm ordinary people or fans. I was born, grew up, and raised my children until they are grown and about to marry. The public has always supported me."
"I started as a model at 17 or 18. If no one bought magazines, I wouldn’t have had photo shoots in every issue. I sang songs—if no one bought or listened to my music, I wouldn’t have released 14 albums with four record labels. I sang thousands of songs. I wouldn't have been a leading actor until my 40s, then stopped and became a member of parliament, which I couldn’t have done without public support and love."
"Even recently, there was news that I ran for Bangkok governor. People may have forgotten, but I received over 600,000 votes in one day. That was a huge encouragement, even though people asked if an actor could do anything. I showed what I could do. I survive because of the people."
"One day, when the issue arose that I was accused of cheating someone, I felt it was the harshest accusation. I didn’t know what to say and didn’t want to defend myself. I left it to the justice system. I have said repeatedly that it’s just this matter. Saying I hurt poor people who had to die or go bankrupt is cruel to my feelings, and it’s impossible. I’ve already told the whole truth. I was declared innocent over a year ago. Now, something else has come up again—someone wants to sue again (laughs)."
"I probably say the same things over and over because the truth is only one. So, that’s all there is. Those who know me well know it can’t be true, and I would never do that. Saying this may seem like making excuses, but looking at the evidence, including money received, it’s just this much. If someone says I’m greedy, how greedy would I have to be to hurt the people who have supported me my whole life? Would it be hundreds or thousands of millions?"
"That’s not true. Why would I do that? My life isn’t difficult. Even though I’m not extravagant, I live simply. My family is quiet. My child can have a Benz, but at the same time, can take the skytrain. I also show that I can use the skytrain. My child must be able to ride it too. We fly economy class, but sometimes with promotions, business class."
"We always teach our children that we are middle class. We can rise or fall; we’re not attached to anything. I’m very lucky to have a wife who never demands anything or asks for things. Getting a bag from me is special. Some bags are over 20 years old, and she still cleans and cares for them. The things we give have value because we don’t buy people with material things. We are a simple family. No one offered me big money to do bad things. I don’t know why I would do that. I’m fortunate to have had a life without hardship, though not wealthy. My parents raised me to live as a very ordinary middle-class person. So, those who trust and love me, believe me: you did not love the wrong person."
"Please understand that I will prove the truth clearly so everyone knows they did not support the wrong person. It’s my duty to reveal the truth, no matter how many times I must say it, because the truth is only one. It will be over soon."
Sam also revealed that if anyone comments just for fun, over a thousand names have already been reported to the authorities.
"Honestly, my lawyer didn’t even want to do it. After I came out, he listed about a thousand names. He doesn’t see them as enemies; maybe they just misunderstood me. It’s my job to make them understand me correctly. Over a thousand people have been reported, but it depends on what action we take."
"My lawyer said to report them first. What I do with those people is up to me. He told me to just smile when people insult me and think of it as money (laughs). I have to say thank you for harsh insults because that money can be used for charity to help the poor and many others. Whether it’s right or wrong, we won’t interfere with the court as they are watching. Just trust that I would never do such things."
Sam said he lives today thanks to the support of everyone and has courage to step out of his comfort zone.
"Honestly, I live because of the encouragement. Sometimes, when I read supportive messages, I wonder why I underestimated the kindness of my fans. I thought they didn’t love me anymore, but these things uplift me and give me courage to leave my comfort zone. I felt that my life should just be quiet, that my time was over."
"But seeing today, it made me see a new world—that life still has flowers around me. Thank you for making me feel this way and keeping this elderly person refreshed. After the incident, I checked and no one really insulted me because everyone began to understand. At first, there was a lot of dust and harsh news."
"And the company involved is quite good; the company I’m with hasn’t defended or said anything (laughs). They’ve been very quiet. When the time comes, the media comes to me, and what can I say when I’ve only been there 11 months? What should I know about this company? I can only answer what I know and have seen. I’ve tried to discuss it."
"Punishment isn’t as good as talking and clearing things up—who was harmed, and how to compensate. I think that’s more important. Putting people in jail isn’t the answer. Those who have problems can do live sales and return money. That’s better than freezing everything and leaving things uncertain."
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