15-1-2024 (BANGKOK) A 35-year-old self-professed shaman, Apiworasit Puangsaeng, also known as Ajarn Man, has confessed to charges related to videos depicting him casting spells on clients’ anuses and genitals. Apiworasit acknowledged the charges during a session at the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau on Monday morning, according to Pol Maj Gen Chatpanthakan Khlaikhlueng, the CCIB chief.
The native of Surin province gained media attention in Thailand after videos showcasing his ritualistic spells on clients’ private parts went viral. Apiworasit clarified that the videos were meant for sharing with potential clients to inform them about his services and were not intended for public viewing or pornographic use.
Having performed these rituals for about a decade, Apiworasit claimed that clients, including politicians and celebrities, often returned for repeat sessions. However, he admitted that the rites were inappropriate and apologized for conducting them. He pledged to cease offering such services and focus on casting spells on other areas of the body, such as faces, arms, and hands.
Pol Maj Gen Chatpanthakan stated that Apiworasit would face charges of putting pornographic information into publicly accessible computer systems, carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a fine of 100,000 baht. The CCIB commander also mentioned that investigators would examine additional videos linked to Apiworasit, some dating as far back as 2017.
