Grammy actor fired following viral video of him punching hit-and-run motorcyclist

A Grammy actor and TV host has been fired after a video of him punching a motorcyclist, who hit his Mini Cooper, and forcing him to kowtow to the vehicle became the talk of the town yesterday.

In a statement today, GMM TV announced it has canceled its contract with Acharanat “Nott” Ariyaritwikol, 28, and fired him from all of his current jobs, adding the company did not approve his misbehavior, Sanook reported.

In a one-minute video, which has been watched over four million times on Facebook, the actor dragged a motorcyclist across the road to look at the damage he had done to his car — a broken tail light.

Acharanat punched him several times, asking why he hit and ran, before telling the guy to krab, or kowtow, to his car.

“Where are you going?! You hit and ran! How much does this [damage] cost?” he said in the video.

“Do not hit and run. Understand? Kowtow to my car!” the actor said, as the scared motorcyclist did a wai at his yellow Mini Cooper.

At Yannawa police station, Acharanat told reporters early this morning that he is still “a good kid” and apologized for his temper, Kapook reported.

“He didn’t come to check on my car. What would you do then if it was you? I was in the heat of the moment. I didn’t have time to think of a polite word…like ‘say sorry to my car’,” Acharanat said.

The motorcyclist, Kittisak Singto, 25, has filed a police report for physical assault against Acharanat, who could face a three-year jail term and/or a maximum fine of THB6,000, Daily News reported.

Both cases of the car crash and physical assault are being investigated.

Acharanat started his career in showbiz with his nomination as one of CLEO magazine’s 50 most eligible bachelors in 2009. He has been in music videos, movies and drama series and a host for at least 20 television shows.

Earlier this year, Acharanat received the government’s award for being a good example to the Thai people — the title that Thai netizens say he should now give back.

After the video went viral the phrase “Krab rod” or “Kowtow to my car” has become the most popular hashtag on Twitter and also a meme.



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