UDON THANI — A 47-year-old man whose breakdancing performance at a traffic intersection in Udon Thani went viral with more than 10 million views has claimed he is a professional singer and dancer signed to a major US record label and preparing to perform at a concert at the White House.
The man, identified as Withaya, known as “Wit,” was tracked down by reporters on 24 August after a video of him showing off breakdancing moves at the Nong Bua Market intersection spread widely online.
Reporters found him living alone in Mak Khaeng subdistrict. He declined a formal interview, saying his US record label had told him not to speak to the media, but spoke informally with reporters.
Withaya claimed he had entered the entertainment industry at the age of 11 and had worked with international artists and bands. He also claimed to have released albums and worked on music for films and major streaming platforms.
He said his dancing at various locations in Udon Thani was part of training ahead of a major concert at the White House in the United States. He claimed his US-based label had asked him to return to Thailand for a period of training before flying back to the US for the event.
Withaya also claimed he had taken a roughly 15-year break from the music industry and had previously appeared in television dramas.
He insisted that he was not suffering from any illness, saying people may simply be unfamiliar with his career overseas.
However, the claims about his entertainment career, record label and alleged White House performance have not been independently verified by the label or relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, police said the viral video could lead to three traffic violations.
Lt Col Chainarong Khantaseema, deputy traffic inspector at Muang Udon Thani Police Station, said the man’s actions appeared to involve parking in a prohibited area, riding without a helmet and leaving a vehicle to stand on the road in a manner that obstructed traffic.
Police have ordered traffic officers to identify the man from footage shared online and check CCTV cameras in the area before taking legal action.
