Veteran Thai Actor Ko Theerasak Reveals Years of abuse, Suicide Ideation, and Family Trauma
BANGKOK – Celebrated Thai actor Ko Theerasak, known for his prolific career in television and film, has publicly detailed a harrowing past marked by familial abuse, bullying, and suicidal thoughts stemming from pressures within the entertainment industry. In a recent interview, Theerasak recounted a childhood and young adulthood plagued by emotional and verbal violence, ultimately leading him to flee his family home and seek refuge with friends.
Theerasak described a deeply challenging upbringing within the entertainment world, stating, “Because we come to live in the role of the hero… investors and consumers, he wants us to be the way he wants to be. We keep doing that. We think that it must be adjusted.” He explained the constant need to conform to expectations dictated by those with financial power, prioritizing income over personal well-being.
The actor revealed the profound emotional toll this took on his family life. He shared that mealtimes were consistently filled with conflict and abuse, with family members “cursing” and “hitting” him. Despite the severity of the situation, Theerasak found solace in his academic performance, using it as a coping mechanism. “Therefore is the driving force that makes us study hard. Because at least we are good at studying.”
Theerasak disclosed grappling with suicidal ideation during this period, describing a desperate attempt to self-harm as a child. “Across the suicide line… Go into the closet, we close the door and give it all the air. When we run out, we opened the door because we were hot, we came out.” He clarified that while he contemplated suicide, he ultimately did not act on those impulses.
Driven to escape the abusive surroundings, Theerasak left home with limited resources, surviving with the help of friends and their families. He initially supported himself by selling goods at Amporn Park, believing his skills were transferable. Though, his parents eventually discovered his whereabouts. He expressed reluctance to return, fearing a repeat of the abuse. “We don’t want to go back to society at home,not home. And everyone is very fierce.Use each word that makes us emotional.”
Theerasak reflected on the experience as a matter of “karma,” believing he needed to accumulate good deeds to overcome the hardship. His eventual return home was marked by a tearful reunion with his mother, with whom he shared a close bond.He revealed a complex family dynamic, with his sister attributing the issues to their mother’s overprotective nature and a subsequent separation of Theerasak from his mother, placing him in the care of his brother. Theerasak became visibly emotional while recounting this, stating, “Speaking, it was sad.” (Tears in the crying).