Sean Buranahiran, a social media influencer and life coach, gave his first interview to the public this week after a seven hour interrogation at Pakkred police station, apologizing and denying all allegations of embezzlement on a controversial fundraiser.
The social media star was summoned to the police station after three charges were filed against his Chiang Mai forest fire donations — the Solicitation of Control Act, Computer Crime Act, and charges of public fraud.
Col. Phongchak Preechakarunpong, director of the Pakkred police station, said that Sean had brought the evidence to clarify and denied all three allegations.
Sean revealed that he had submitted all documents and evidence to clarify all the missing information and allegations, while apologizing for disappearing as he was preparing the evidence.
When asked by reporters if the 1.3 million bath donations were really put into the forest fires initiative, his lawyer Argard Wasikchart said that the proceeds were both put into the fundraiser as well as COVID-19 initiatives. He confirmed that all the money was spent on social causes and not for personal use, which can be backed up by witnesses and further evidence.
“The COVID-19 outbreak was very bad during that time, so I used some of the money to buy N95 masks.” said Sean. “What I did was incorrect, but my intentions to help the public were pure. I have the receipt for everything.”
The embattled social media star then raised his hands in a wai to apologize to Chiang Mai people, stating that he had realised what he had done, and emphasised that he felt very guilty for disappointing them.
Sean added that he is willing to take all responsibilities for this foul-up, vowing to give 1.3 million baht of his personal funds to the governor of Chiang Mai, which is expected to happen this Friday.
