BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thai-US rapper Prinya “Way” Intachai and his wife Rybena “Nana” Intachai faced fraud allegations over a multi-million-baht dispute with a businessman.
Alleged fraud over 14 million baht
A businessman accused the couple of deceiving him into transferring 14 million baht (around 350,000 euros). The money reportedly flowed to Prinya’s account in ten transactions starting in March last year. The rapper denied any wrongdoing and insisted he had not known the origin of the funds.
Lawyer portrays rapper as uninformed spouse
His lawyer Saiyood Phengbunchoo said his client’s wife had given the money to her husband to use without revealing its source. According to the lawyer, Rybena even told the businessman not to inform Prinya about their arrangement. The rapper was said to have become aware of the issue only in October.
Partial repayments and separate loan dispute
After learning of the problem, he reportedly began repayments immediately and transferred 1.5 million baht in the same month. He stated he had never invited anyone to invest and had not interfered in his wife’s business dealings.
“It was a personal agreement between us, a gentleman’s deal.”
said Prinya, referring to a separate loan taken from his bandmate.
Career damage and mounting debts
The scandal had severe consequences for the celebrity couple, with concerts canceled and many sponsors pulling out. Even the planned sale of their stake in a hair salon suffered, as the price reportedly dropped from 300 million to 180 million baht. Total debts in all cases linked to Rybena were said to have reached 152 million baht (around 3.8 million euros), and she was charged with credit fraud and released on bail.
Assets under scrutiny by authorities
Authorities examined the couple’s assets, including a house put up for sale that had to be reviewed because of mortgage obligations. The financial situation was described as strained, and the scandal shook the confidence of business partners and fans alike. For the rapper, who had been successful for 25 years, this could have meant the end of his career in a media landscape described as being in turmoil.
Ongoing investigation and legal battle ahead
Prinya acknowledged the accusations and cooperated with investigators from the Economic Crime Division (ECD). He told reporters he had provided detailed explanations of his role. The case remained far from resolved, as the Thai justice system was expected to determine who bore responsibility within the complex financial network, raising the prospect of a lengthy legal battle for the star couple.
Questions over trust and responsibility
The affair raised questions about a rapper claiming ignorance, a wife negotiating her own deals and a businessman feeling deceived. It highlighted how trust, careers and fortunes could collapse within seconds. The case also underscored unresolved doubts over how much responsibility a partner carries when the other pursues independent financial dealings.