Bangkok: "Uncle Toi Sembe," known off-screen as Nirun Bunyarattaphan, a beloved Thai cartoon voice actor and former Channel 9 Cartoon host, has expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support he received from fans and the community after revealing a significant financial setback. He shared his appreciation through a Facebook post, following a life crisis that led to the loss of nearly all his savings due to a failed real estate investment.
According to Thai News Agency, Uncle Toi recently posted a message thanking his supporters, stating, "The cartoons that once taught children to be heroes have now grown up and become Uncle Toi's heroes themselves." The revered voice actor revealed his dire financial situation, but noted the remarkable outpouring of support from the public, including messages, comments, shares, and words of encouragement.
In his message, Uncle Toi extended his gratitude to anime fans, fans of his work, and the media for amplifying his story. He also acknowledged over a hundred lawyers from across Thailand who offered their legal services free of charge, and several Members of Parliament and Ministers who provided support and advice. However, he refrained from mentioning any names to avoid influencing the ongoing legal proceedings.
Despite not having received any payment for the outstanding debt, Uncle Toi mentioned that the project owner had contacted him to discuss revising the debt settlement plan to accommodate all victims. He remains hopeful that these discussions will lead to meaningful action, as many families, including his own, await resolution.
Uncle Toi emphasized that the kindness and solidarity shown by the Thai people have provided him with a reward far greater than money. He expressed his amazement at the immense love and encouragement from his fans, which have given him and his family the strength to continue fighting.
Reflecting on the support from those who grew up watching his cartoons, Uncle Toi remarked, "The children who used to sit and watch Uncle Toi's cartoons back then... Today, they've all grown up into adults. And they've lent a helping hand to Uncle Toi once again." He concluded by expressing his profound gratitude, stating it as the greatest award a voice actor could receive.