When you wish upon 'The Star'

“The public’s votes are actually ignored and overruled by the preference of Khun Boy,” Isra News Agency quoted the unnamed source as saying. Unlike “Academy Fantasia”, “The Star” never reveals vote counts. 

The ex-contender also said 10 per cent of the show’s studio audience is willing to vote as they’re told, and surmised that the rigging began when Xact took over from GMM Grammy at the start of Season 5. Grammy wanted only the best singers so it could sign them to recording contracts, the source claimed, but Xact has done the signing for the past four years and the popularity of some contestants, like Sukrit “Bie” Wisetkaew, might have dictated a policy change. 

Boy faces the press today. It should be interesting.

 

 

Ticker ticklers

Thailand did more than its share to make a success of both Facebook and the emoticon stickers available on the Line chat application. Now local firm Absolute Play has launched an app called Ticker with funny Thai-language, “bumper sticker-style” messages to decorate the photos that users upload. 

Singer Jetrin “Jay” Wattanasin posted a picture of himself with a Ticker reading, “I may be old, but I can still take you to heaven.” TV host Sorrayuth Suthassanajinda adorned a Songkran photo of him in a flowery shirt with the message “Can go out in public with confidence.” And actress Praiya “Poo” Suandokmai declares on her portrait, “Most beautiful in my own private world.” 

The messages often mock typical Thai behaviour, such as our penchant for showing off the food we’re about to eat and then, if it looks exceptionally indulgent, sarcastically remarking, “Light meal at night.” And those who love picking on others when they’re trying to diet can’t resist displaying their sumptuous dinner with the assurance, “This is a luxury meal, but it will be a poor man’s meal next.”