Cambodian tycoon who beat up actress flees country after trying to buy off victim

A Cambodian tycoon, Sok Bun, who was caught on video dragging an actress off a leather couch at a Phnom Penh restaurant, throwing her to the ground, kicking her head and then hitting her, has fled the country.

Attempts to buy off actress and TV personality failed when Sasa, whose real name is Ek Socheata turned down the tycoon's offer of $40,000 which was later upped to $100,000 to "make the case go away".

The one minute grainy black and white video taken from the Japanese restaurant's security camera was posted on the actress' Facebook page last week and has become the focus of social media and morning talk shows. It is putting pressure on police to act, AP reports.

Photographs that she provided to Cambodian newspapers show her with bruises over her body, a black eye and bloodied fingers and knees.

The 28 year old actress said that she was protecting a friend from the drunken advances of Sok Bun in the early hours of 2 July when he flew into a rage . His bodyguard is seen in the video pointing a pistol at the actress' head as Sok Bun attacked her.

"I cannot forget what he did to me. I don't want his money. I want to see him in court," she told AP.

Sok Bun says he could not control himself

Sok Bun, a married, middle-aged property tycoon issued a statement on Tuesday saying that he made a mistake and was trying to pay for it.

"I, Sok Bun, deeply regret what happened. I could not control myself," he said, according to AP. In a second statement, also issued the same day, said he was "absent from Cambodia" for medical treatment and will return when "my security is guaranteed."

He has also appealed to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to take pity on him and guarantee his freedom.

Interior Minister Sar Kheng has ordered police to find Bok Sun. "If he escapes, it will be an insult to us. We cannot accept that," the minister was quoted as saying by The Phnom Penh Post.

National police spokesman Kirt Chantharith said that Sok Bun has been tracked down to Singapore and that efforts are being made to try and bring him back.

"We know where he is hiding. He will not get away with this. The interior minister has ordered his arrest, and we will find him.," the spokesman said.