Singha heir removed from brewery roles after abuse allegations shake Thailand’s Bhirombhakdi family
: Boonrawd Brewery removed executive Sunit Scott from all company roles after abuse allegations by environmental activist Siranudh Scott triggered public outrage and renewed scrutiny of Thailand’s powerful Bhirombhakdi family behind Singha beer.
- Boonrawd Brewery removed Sunit Scott after abuse allegations made publicly by his brother Siranudh Scott.
Siranudh alleged years of abuse, family silence and emotional isolation within Thailand’s powerful Singha dynasty.
The controversy triggered intense public backlash, sympathy online and criticism over the company’s delayed response.
BANGKOK, THAILAND: One of Thailand’s wealthiest business dynasties has been thrust into public controversy after Boonrawd Brewery dismissed an executive linked to the Singha beer empire following allegations of sexual abuse made by his younger brother.
The company announced on 19 May 2026 that Sunit Scott had been removed from all positions within Boonrawd Brewery and affiliated companies after environmental activist Siranudh Scott publicly accused him of repeated abuse during their teenage years.
The allegations triggered days of intense media coverage and widespread discussion across Thai social media, placing one of Thailand’s most influential families under unprecedented public scrutiny.
Siranudh, 29, posted an emotional video on Facebook earlier this month in which he accused his elder brother of repeatedly abusing him during adolescence.
“Everyone in my family knows it because they listened to the tape I recorded of his confession,” Siranudh said in the video.
“But no one took action.”
He also declared that he no longer wished to be identified as a “Singha heir”.
“I don’t want to stay in a family that doesn’t value me or have empathy for me,” he said through tears. “I can’t live with this kind of people.”
View this post on Instagram
Family empire under scrutiny
Siranudh and Sunit are sons of Chiranuj Bhirombhakdi and members of the Bhirombhakdi family, owners of Boon Rawd Brewery, the company behind Singha beer.
The family was ranked Thailand’s 15th richest by Forbes, with an estimated net worth of US$1.75 billion.
Beyond Singha beer, the group’s interests span food manufacturing, hospitality, property and energy businesses.
The company statement announcing Sunit’s removal was signed by Boonrawd Brewery chief executive Bhurit Bhirombhakdi, who is also the cousins’ relative.
“The Boonrawd Brewery Group acknowledges the facts surrounding Sunist Scott (Pai) and wishes to express our deepest condolences to Siranat Scott (Sai) for the incident that has occurred,” the statement said.
The company said it opposed “domestic violence in any form” including physical violence, harassment and conduct violating “the rights and dignity of others”.
It added that Sunit had been “removed from all positions within the company”.
The statement also pledged full cooperation with authorities investigating the allegations.
Suspension request posted online
Bhurit later posted on social media a letter attributed to Sunit dated 19 May 2026.
In the letter, Sunit apologised to members of the Boonrawd Group and family members for the impact caused by the controversy.
“In light of the news about me that has become public, I personally feel deeply troubled by the incident,” the letter stated.
Sunit requested suspension from all duties as an employee and executive “until the matter is fully resolved and clearly established”.
Before the latest developments, Sunit had denied allegations of sexual abuse while acknowledging what he described as rough physical play between boys.
View this post on Instagram
Television interview deepens controversy
Public attention intensified further after Siranudh gave an emotional television interview broadcast earlier on 18 May.
During the interview, he alleged that he had not only been abused by his brother, but also by a caregiver during childhood.
Siranudh said he initially disclosed only the caregiver’s alleged abuse to his mother because he “wasn’t mentally prepared” to discuss allegations involving his brother.
According to his account, events escalated after the caregiver was dismissed from the household.
Siranudh alleged the caregiver later contacted his mother and threatened to expose a secret involving Sunit.
When confronted by his mother over the claims, Siranudh said he admitted the allegations involving his brother were true.
However, he alleged his mother instructed him never to reveal the matter publicly.
He also claimed he was later expelled from the family’s home in Hua Hin.
“At that moment, I felt I had lost my home,” he said during the interview.
He added that he no longer felt safe within his own family and had been living in southern Thailand since 2020.
Siranudh further alleged that the caregiver was later rehired by his mother despite his earlier complaints.
Since the allegations became public, the caregiver has reportedly fled her residence.
Grandfather’s legacy and family silence
Siranudh said his decision to speak publicly followed years of emotional struggle and disappointment.
He explained that he had been raised largely by his late grandfather Chamnong Bhirombhakdi, former chairman of Singha Corp, who taught him the importance of protecting family unity.
“I always tried to believe that what he taught me, and his spirit, still existed within this family,” Siranudh said.
However, he said he gradually lost faith after his grandfather’s death.
“I feel that my grandfather is no longer in this family,” he added.
Siranudh insisted he never intended to damage the family publicly but believed nobody within the household would acknowledge his suffering or protect him.
Public backlash and boycott calls
The controversy generated a strong reaction online, with many Thai social media users expressing sympathy for Siranudh and praising him for speaking publicly after years of silence.
Many comments focused on the emotional impact of his television interview and allegations of long-term isolation within a powerful business family.
Others criticised Boonrawd Brewery’s response as delayed and driven primarily by reputational concerns.
Some online users predicted potential damage to Singha’s business interests in regional markets including China and Vietnam.
Calls to boycott Singha products and switch to rival beer brands also circulated online following the company’s statement.
Other responses urged fairness and compassion for all parties involved while calling for accountability and transparency from the family and company leadership.
Several users warned that continued silence or mishandling of the allegations could inflict long-term reputational damage on the Singha brand.
Environmental profile adds public attention
Siranudh is a prominent marine conservation activist and founder of Sea You Strong, an environmental group active in southern Thailand’s coastal waters.
Known for outspoken campaigns on marine protection and conservation issues, he has frequently attracted public attention and controversy through activism efforts.
His Scottish father and high-profile family background have also contributed to strong media interest in the unfolding allegations.
