PHUKET: An iconic television advertisment from 30 years ago has led to a spate of negative coverage for Phuket in the Australian media today.
The past of Mark Robert Coutelas, an Aussie serving time in Phuket Prison, was exposed this evening on television and in the tabloid press.
The arrest of Coutelas was reported fully in Phuketwan last year. What we didn't disclose was that he played the ''Solo Man'' in a popular soft drink television ad of the 1980s that was still appearing as late as 1990.
Australia's Channel 7 and the Daily Mail served up a slice of the distant past today in their news coverage, with Coutelas being quoted as saying: ''I like to live on the dark side . . . some people do. Phuket is perfect for that.''
The television news segment was accompanied by photos of the Aussie's bawdy lifestyle and Soi Bangla, where underdressed go-go dancers now cavort openly in public. Once, they were kept behind closed doors.
The ''Solo Man'' ad showed Coutelas riding a kayak downstream in a steamy jungle, surviving the challenge and quenching his thirst with the soft drink.
His tastes have changed since and he was busted for drugs around this time last year.
He may be out before 2016 but the spate of publicity is likely to mean the disappearance of any chance he may have had of returning to ''the dark side'' on Phuket soon.
The past of Mark Robert Coutelas, an Aussie serving time in Phuket Prison, was exposed this evening on television and in the tabloid press.
The arrest of Coutelas was reported fully in Phuketwan last year. What we didn't disclose was that he played the ''Solo Man'' in a popular soft drink television ad of the 1980s that was still appearing as late as 1990.
Australia's Channel 7 and the Daily Mail served up a slice of the distant past today in their news coverage, with Coutelas being quoted as saying: ''I like to live on the dark side . . . some people do. Phuket is perfect for that.''
The television news segment was accompanied by photos of the Aussie's bawdy lifestyle and Soi Bangla, where underdressed go-go dancers now cavort openly in public. Once, they were kept behind closed doors.
The ''Solo Man'' ad showed Coutelas riding a kayak downstream in a steamy jungle, surviving the challenge and quenching his thirst with the soft drink.
His tastes have changed since and he was busted for drugs around this time last year.
He may be out before 2016 but the spate of publicity is likely to mean the disappearance of any chance he may have had of returning to ''the dark side'' on Phuket soon.
"phuket is perfect for that"
Well, apparently not THAT perfect since he is in prison for those same "dark side" activities.
Posted by christian on June 24, 2015 19:56
Editor Comment:
Possession of drugs and weapons will get you jail time in most places. If you get caught.