Wanchaleom Jamneanphol, a popular YouTube personality from Thailand, is currently under investigation for calling a dress designed by Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana ugly.
- Dec 20, 2018
AceShowbiz - There's nothing wrong in expressing one's opinion, but maybe it will be nice if we find out to whom we're sharing opinion first beforehand. Wanchaleom Jamneanphol, a popular YouTube personality from Thailand, may be facing charges after she criticized a dress worn by Miss Thailand, Sophida Kancharnarin.
Jamneanphol, who goes by the name Mixy Bigmouth, caused social media outrage after she called the blue dress worn by Kancharnarin ugly. People were upset because the dress which she criticized was designed by Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, a daughter of the country's king. Kitjanut Chaiyosburana, an aspiring politician, apparently was so upset by the comment that he filed defamation charges against her.
"I cannot accept that a well-known individual in the online world expressed negative opinions that affect the country's reputation," Chaiyosburana said after filing the complaint with the police's technology crime suppression division. "I don't think it's the right thing to do. It's irresponsible behavior."
Jamneanphol herself has deleted her offensive comment and issued an apology, insisting that she "did not have any intention to insult or disrespect the high institution." The social media star added, "I merely did not know the full consequences of my actions via my posts and comments, which caused damage to Your Royal Highness and the monarchy. I deeply regret and feel guilty for my actions."
Thai police is currently investigating the matter, and she hasn't been formally charged.
Under local law, any Thai citizen who "defames, insults or threatens the king, queen, the heir-apparent or the regent" will be punished. Even though Princess Nariratana isn't technically covered by royal defamation laws, insulting her is considered verboten. The country's laws also allow citizens to file defamation charges on behalf of someone else and convictions can carry prison sentences of up to two years.