Whether it’s inheritance fights or disturbing abuse claims, the family behind Singha beer has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Most recently, the billionaire Thai family has been plunged into scandal after one of its heirs, Siranudh Scott, accused his older brother Sunit ‘Pi’ Scott of sexually abusing him for more than a decade.

Consequently, Sunit was forced to resign from his position in the company, a rarity in Thailand where negative publicity involving the elite is usually shut down.

Siranudh, the British-Thai marine conservationist and social media personality better known as ‘Psi Scott’, has long distanced himself from the image of his family’s ultra-wealthy business dynasty. 

With his activities in environmental activism and habit of dressing as a mermaid to promote ocean conservation campaigns, the 29-year-old polished a public persona far removed from the corporate image associated with the powerful Bhirombhakdi clan.

The Bhirombhakdi dynasty controls Boon Rawd Brewery, the company behind Singha beer, one of Thailand’s most recognisable brands and a business empire worth billions. 

The family is listed as Thailand’s 15th richest by Forbes, which estimates their net worth at around £1.3billion.

As well as Singha Beer, the group’s other interests include food manufacturing, hotels, power and property.

Siranudh Scott (center) pictured with his father Suthit Ivar Scott (L) 

Siranudh appeared in a short film project dressed as a mythical mermaid figure to raise awareness about ocean pollution

The clan sits among the country’s old-money elite, with deep ties to business and high society. 

Siranudh’s mother, Chiranuj Bhirombhakdi, is the daughter of former Singha chairman Chamnong Bhirombhakdi. 

After studying in the US, she met her Scottish husband, Suthit Ivar Scott, with whom she had two children. 

Following her divorce from Scott, who has since remained largely out of the public eye, Chiranuj raised her family in Thailand under a carefully curated image of luxury. 

She became a prominent socialite and photographer, while her eldest son, Sunit, married actress Mild Lapassalan, who rose to fame in Thailand after her role in the Ugly Duckling TV series.

Meanwhile, Siranudh, dubbed ‘Thailand’s Aquaman’, built a following through environmental campaigns focused on marine conservation.

These initiatives included long-distance open water swims and a short film project in which he appeared dressed as a mythical mermaid figure to raise awareness about ocean pollution.

But their well-managed public image unravelled in spectacular fashion recently after Siranudh launched explosive allegations against his older brother.

A viral video posted to Facebook shocked Thailand as Siranudh accused his brother of sexually abusing him for approximately 12 years, from childhood into adulthood. 

Alongside the video, Siranudh released an audio recording of a conversation he had with Sunit, where he confronted his older brother about being forced to commit sexual acts ‘many times over the years’.

Another voice, allegedly that of Sunit, did not deny the allegations, but said: ‘I don’t even know what I’m doing, to be honest. I’m just like a child who doesn’t know what they’re doing.’

The severe allegations triggered widespread outrage and exposed a bitter feud within one of the country’s most powerful dynasties.

Siranudh, who uses the surname Scott to distance himself from his Thai side, has claimed relatives failed to support him after he spoke out and instead pressured him to remain silent.

He also alleged his mother became embroiled in legal disputes over property and inheritance connected to the family fortune.

Siranudh Scott, 29, claimed he had been sexually abused by his older brother and that his family covered it up

Sunit ‘Pi’ Scott denied the allegations against him but signed a letter of resignation from the Singha company

Mild Lapassalan (pictured) is distancing herself from her husband amid the allegations

Siranudh claimed his mother accused him of being ungrateful for publicly sharing details about the alleged abuse by Sunit.

Speaking in the video, Siranudh said: ‘This year, my mother filed a lawsuit against me to claim property my grandfather gave me…She calls me an ungrateful child because I spoke out about what my caregiver did,’ he said.

‘When I asked senior members in the family for help, they told me to apologise to my mother,’ he added.

In the video, Siranudh said through tears: ‘I don’t want to stay in a family that doesn’t value me or have empathy for me. I can’t live with this kind of people.

‘Everyone in my family knows it because they listened to the tape I recorded of his confession.’

Claiming that the family willfully ignored the allegations, Siranudh declared he no longer wanted to be known as a ‘Singha heir’.

Sunit initially denied the accusations against him, which he described as ‘not true’ and ‘deeply unsettling’.

However, he did acknowledge there had been some ‘rough’ play between the boys in their younger years, according to Thai news outlet Thaiger.

Sunit also addressed the family property dispute, claiming ownership of the property belonged jointly to both brothers.

He said their mother pursued legal action against Siranudh after parts of the property were allegedly damaged under his younger brother’s supervision.

Sunit’s wife later shared land ownership documents online in support of her husband’s statement.

And now, Thai media has revealed his celebrity wife is distancing herself from the businessman amid the allegations.

Lapassalan took to Instagram last week to release a statement of her own, writing: ‘I sincerely apologise for my actions and misunderstandings in this incident, which have caused damage and disappointment to many, especially Siranudh. I feel extremely guilty and regretful that the situation has escalated to this point.

‘Personally, I had never heard this audio clip before throughout our relationship. I am deeply saddened by what Siranudh has to go through. From now on, I will be distancing myself from my husband to reflect on myself and take care of my mental health.’

As the storm around the allegations grew, a decision was apparently made by their cousin Bhurit Bhirombhakdi, one of Thailand’s richest men and CEO of the parent company, to side with Siranudh.

He signed a letter announcing Sunit had been booted out, adding that the company ‘would like to express its deepest regret to Siranudh Scott for what happened’, and that it was cooperating with the authorities in their investigation.

Bhirombhakdi also posted online a letter from Sunit, which read: ‘In order to ensure fairness for all parties, I hereby resign from my duties as an employee and executive… until the matter is clarified and conclusively proved.’