Chuwit now a real soapy star

The big news in Thailand might be about the impending return of a certain ousted former prime minister, but the politician who journalists really want to cover is Chuwit Kamolvisit.

Yes, Chuwit. Former soapy massage parlour tycoon. Owner of a controversial plot of land. Mayoral candidate. Former parliamentarian. Former deputy party leader. Outspoken critic of the ruling elite. Now, he's a soap opera star, according to The Nation's Soop Sip column.

His colorful personality is perfect for a Thai soap opera, and he'll appear in Phra Chan Son Dao on Channel 3.

The move into television is the latest episode in the infamous life of Chuwit.

Previously, he headed the Davis empire of naughty massage parlours in Bangkok. He also held a lucrative plot of land on Bangkok's Sukhumvit Road that was involved in a lease dispute that culminated in sledgehammer-wielding, backhoe-driving thugs smashing up a group of low-rent bars and shops.

He has since built a park on the Sukhumvit location, and he sold his interest in his massage parlour empire to enter politics. He first ran for mayor of Bangkok in 2004, and was then elected to Parliament, though he was disqualified due to a technicality.

In the latest election, he dropped out (or was possibly kicked out) of the Chart Thai party after he disagreed with his party's move to align itself with the now-ruling People Power Party of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

He's taken to voicing his displeasure with the country's leaders in a series of colorful billboards, which 2bangkok.com lovingly keeps track of.

(Photo via 2bangkok.com)