Thai YouTuber could face ‘royal insult’ charge after criticising Miss Universe contestant’s gown designed by Princess Nariratana
- Any Thai citizen is permitted to file defamation charges on behalf of another person, and convictions can carry prison sentences of up to two years
- The lèse-majesté law, which has been in place since 1908, has been increasingly enforced since the Thai military took power in 2014 in a coup
A Thai social media influencer who criticised a gown worn by her country’s Miss Universe contestant could end up in court after another online personality filed a complaint with police charging that her thumbs-down fashion comment defamed the royal family.
Kitjanut Chaiyosburana, a businessman and politician, said on Wednesday that he filed his complaint after seeing a Facebook post by Wanchaleom Jamneanphol, who disparaged a blue dress designed by Princess Srivannavari Nariratana, a daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Miss Universe Thailand, Sophida Kancharin, wore the gown during a December 5 promotional event that was part of the pageant, won in Bangkok on Monday by the Philippines’ Catriona Gray.
Police Colonel Siriwat Deepor, spokesman for the Technology Crime Suppression Bureau, said the defamation complaint had been received and would be investigated.
Wanchaleom has deleted the critical post and apologised on Monday to Princess Srivannavari in another Facebook post.
