Real-life soap opera

A wealthy politician and famous actress suddenly announce their marriage, but questions quickly emerge about his past. A soap opera? No, this is for real.

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Samut Prakan politician Chonsawat Asavahame and American-born Thai actress and model Janie Tienphosuwan are surrounded by photographers after officially becoming husband and wife. Post Today photo.

Real-life soap opera

It could be a plot for a prime-time soap opera. A fabulously wealthy local Thai politician and a famous American-born actress/model suddenly announce their marriage.

The politician, however, is the son of a fugitive, a former government minister who fled the country after a conviction in a corruption scandal. People still remember the son for his earlier marriage to a popular singer. Complicating matters is that his daughter from that marriage is a friend of his new wife.

The wife, too, has a reputation of dating rich, "hi-so" men. Rumours are rife that she is pregnant.

This is not a soap-opera, however. Yesterday, Samut Prakan politician Chonsawat Asavahame and American-born Thai actress and model Janie Tienphosuwan officially signed their marriage certificate, thus becoming man and wife.

The couple takes questions from reporters. Post Today photo.

Mr Chonsawat, who is the son of fugitive former deputy interior minister Vatana Asavahame, announced that he and his new wife will live at his home in Samut Prakan province. The 45-year-old politician is the former husband of renowned Thai singer Nantida Kaewbuasai, now aged 53.

"We've been dating for five months and our relationship has continued to grow," said the polititican.

Nantida Kaewbuasai, left, and Chontida Asavahame (File photo)

Mr Chonsawat said he and Ms Nantida had not been living together for the past 10 years. However, they do have an 18-year-old daughter named Chontida Asavahame, who is a friend of Ms Janie, he said.

The Samut Prakan politician said he had been doing his best as a father even though he and Ms Nantida had separated a long time ago.

He said he had asked Ms Janie not to talk about their relationship up until now, because he had to sort things out with his former wife and daughter first.

"I like Ms Janie because she's cute and she's the person I can happily sleep with every night," Mr Chonsawat said.

Ms Janie, who, herself, is often in the media spotlight for her soap opera roles and dates with celebrities, had nothing but praise for her new husband.

"Other people may see Mr Chonsawat as a different person than I do. I think he is a warm, calm and discreet person, and we'll see how it goes," the 32-year-old superstar said. "I want to thank Chonsawat for everything he has done for me."

The couple showed their engagement rings to a crowd of reporters and a medical document confirming that Ms Janie was not pregnant, as media reports had suggested.

Many members of the public , however, seem to be having difficulty separating real-life from soap opera and their reaction through the social media has been harsh.

On Sanook.com, an internet user going by the alias A, wrote: "I used to like her, but why does she have to steal another woman's husband?"

On Youtube.com, Kritpandit Ruaydee posted a message saying that a husband had been stolen from a wife without a (marriage) certificate, describing it as "wrong and painful".

Clearly, many people identify Janie with the scheming, sultry character she played in the award-winning soap opera "Raeng Ngao".

Adapted from a story by our online reporters

Here is a short scene from Raeng Ngao. Some people are now wondering if this is the real Janie.

A sarcastic parody posted to YouTube that has gathered almost 500,000 views.