"Sorpook," an influencer, broke down over the donation controversy involving Bum Panadda's foundation, apologizing for her strong initial defense. She said she was shocked because they communicated continuously, yet she learned about the issue later than others. She demands that everything be done correctly and transparently now that the facts have come out.
The controversy centers on donation funds from the "Good Deeds Foundation" of Bum Panadda Wongpudi, an actress, host, and beauty queen. Donations were made to both the foundation's account and a personal account, then transferred to a contractor's account. The contractor claimed that Bum's husband, Atip Anantawan, instructed him to transfer several million baht to his own personal account, sparking social media criticism as previously reported.
Recently, "Sorpook," a friend of Bum Panadda and an influencer, went live on her Facebook page “Pook Sukonta Berthebaud” to address the newly revealed information. She welcomed everyone and said she felt it necessary to explain what happened. She apologized for her earlier strong stance, explaining that she saw her friend going through a very difficult life crisis. As a friend, she wanted everyone to wait for Bum's statement first. Having listened to Bum over several months, she saw the stress and discomfort involved, and in her partial perspective as a friend, she felt Bum was a victim of a toxic relationship filled with financial issues (tears welling). However, she never imagined that she herself would end up being the last to know.
For over two years, she was not an official staff member of the foundation but helped coordinate efforts to assist the public. What shocked her was that she had no idea money had been transferred to unknown recipients, people she did not even know, as everyone has now seen. It felt like her world had shattered. They spoke daily (she cried). She asked why no one informed her. She didn't do the foundation work for personal gain, just wanted to help her friend assist others. She coordinated information, helped with food box distribution, supervised road repair projects, and sought help from wealthy friends or those capable. When she learned the foundation had transferred tens of millions of baht without her knowledge, she felt heartbroken because she helped gather support. This was the shock she experienced.
Bum tried to clarify that the money was intended for constructing something for the foundation, but the other side insisted that the funds were withdrawn to Bum's husband's account. Deep down, Sorpook still believed Bum was not involved in fraud, but she questioned why Bum never told her. She admitted she had been outspoken because she cared deeply (crying). She gave her all but found out about the missing funds only after everyone else. She felt hurt and wished someone had at least told her something was going on.
Sorpook said she went live not to abandon anyone but to explain from her perspective as someone who helped through every crisis since 2024. Upon learning about the missing money, she admitted feeling heartbroken. She wants Bum to do what is right. If anyone committed fraud, especially with foundation funds intended for construction but withdrawn into personal accounts, that is clearly wrong. The most urgent thing now is to report it to authorities, file lawsuits, and seize assets to recover the money for the foundation.
During the live session, many people offered Sorpook encouragement. Bum Panadda also watched the live stream. Sorpook greeted her and said she still supports Bum but was saddened to learn some things after others. She urged Bum to do the right thing. If fraud occurred, report it and recover all assets to return the money to the foundation so the public can benefit. She noted donors love and trust Bum, and she helped because she saw how much Bum tried to help society, being active everywhere from morning till evening. However, if she trusted the wrong people, it must be corrected. She expressed her sorrow that she was completely unaware of these issues.
Recently, Sorpook posted on Facebook saying, “In over ten years knowing her, I have never met anyone as selflessly dedicated to helping others as she is, never any financial scandal because she is financially stable with a clear career and finances. She helps people even when she is in debt—people and animals alike. I just hope this issue originated from others. Since the foundation transferred money to a contractor, why did the contractor then transfer it elsewhere? If it wasn’t for construction, the money should have been returned to the foundation. The claim that they were forced to transfer funds elsewhere is not convincing. But as chairperson, Bum cannot avoid responsibility for such a scandal, whether she knew or not.”
“Speculation and verbal explanations are worthless compared to evidence and statements the foundation should disclose publicly to the media and society. What about the company that unilaterally transferred funds to a third party? Are they not at fault? Why have they become victims, and what kind of victims? And where is the main culprit?”
Further developments will be reported as they arise.
Source: Facebook page Pook Sukonta Berthebaud