This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/19/youtube-host-faces-charges-for-criticising-thai-princesss-miss-universe-dress

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
YouTube host faces charges for criticising Thai princess's Miss Universe dress YouTube host faces charges for criticising Thai princess's Miss Universe dress
(about 9 hours later)
A popular YouTube presenter may be facing charges in Thailand after she criticised a Miss Universe dress that was designed by the daughter of the king.A popular YouTube presenter may be facing charges in Thailand after she criticised a Miss Universe dress that was designed by the daughter of the king.
Wanchaleom Jamneanphol, a popular online TV host, has been the subject of several charges made to the police under Thailand’s notoriously strict cybercrimes and lèse-majesté laws – which make it illegal to say anything negative about the monarchy – for her comments online describing a dress designed by Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana as ugly.Wanchaleom Jamneanphol, a popular online TV host, has been the subject of several charges made to the police under Thailand’s notoriously strict cybercrimes and lèse-majesté laws – which make it illegal to say anything negative about the monarchy – for her comments online describing a dress designed by Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana as ugly.
The blue dress was worn by the Thai entrant, Sophida Kanchanarin, at the 67th Miss Universe pageant which was held in Nonthaburi province, Thailand. The blue dress was worn by the Thai entrant, Sophida Kanchanarin, at this month’s Miss Universe pageant, which was held just outside Bangkok.
Man jailed for 35 years in Thailand for insulting monarchy on FacebookMan jailed for 35 years in Thailand for insulting monarchy on Facebook
Jamneanphol’s post criticising the design of the couture gown went viral and prompted Thai millionaire businessman and aspiring politician Kitjanut Chaiyosburana to file charges against her this week. Jamneanphol’s post criticising the design of the couture gown went viral and prompted Kitjanut Chaiyosburana, a Thai millionaire businessman and aspiring politician, to file charges against her this week.
“I cannot accept that a well-known individual in the online world expressed negative opinions that affect the country’s reputation,” Chaiyosburana told reporters, describing the post as “irresponsible behaviour”.“I cannot accept that a well-known individual in the online world expressed negative opinions that affect the country’s reputation,” Chaiyosburana told reporters, describing the post as “irresponsible behaviour”.
The exquisite Thai Silk gowns that HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana has designed for Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss Universe 2017 and Sophida Karnchanarin, Miss Universe Thailand 2018 on a night of “Thai Night” Gala Dinner are a great challenge. They were inspired by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s wardrobe, using solid Thai silk combined with Praewa Silk which is such a perfect combination between an extraordinary traditional Thai style and a modern fashion. #Sirivannavari #SirivannavariBangkok #SirivannavariCouture #2018MissUniverse #MissUniverse #MontreePR @sirivannavari_shopThe exquisite Thai Silk gowns that HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana has designed for Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss Universe 2017 and Sophida Karnchanarin, Miss Universe Thailand 2018 on a night of “Thai Night” Gala Dinner are a great challenge. They were inspired by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s wardrobe, using solid Thai silk combined with Praewa Silk which is such a perfect combination between an extraordinary traditional Thai style and a modern fashion. #Sirivannavari #SirivannavariBangkok #SirivannavariCouture #2018MissUniverse #MissUniverse #MontreePR @sirivannavari_shop
A post shared by SIRIVANNAVARI BANGKOK OFFICIAL (@sirivannavari_shop) on Dec 5, 2018 at 9:18pm PSTA post shared by SIRIVANNAVARI BANGKOK OFFICIAL (@sirivannavari_shop) on Dec 5, 2018 at 9:18pm PST
The charges were filed and accepted by the Thai police’s technology crime suppression division.The charges were filed and accepted by the Thai police’s technology crime suppression division.
Thailand has some of the strictest lèse-majesté laws in the world, punishing anyone who “defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent or the regent” who are greatly revered in Thailand and hold considerable power.Thailand has some of the strictest lèse-majesté laws in the world, punishing anyone who “defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent or the regent” who are greatly revered in Thailand and hold considerable power.
The law, which has been in place since 1908, has been increasingly enforced ever since the Thai military took power in 2014 in a coup, with many people punished with harsh jail sentences. Critics say the law is used to suppress freedom of speech, and campaigners and the United Nations have repeatedly called for it to be amended. The computer crimes laws also strictly control what Thai people can post online and carry equally severe sentences.The law, which has been in place since 1908, has been increasingly enforced ever since the Thai military took power in 2014 in a coup, with many people punished with harsh jail sentences. Critics say the law is used to suppress freedom of speech, and campaigners and the United Nations have repeatedly called for it to be amended. The computer crimes laws also strictly control what Thai people can post online and carry equally severe sentences.
Jamneanphol has since deleted the post on Facebook and apologised in a post online, in which she emphasised she “did not have any intention to insult or disrespect the high institution”.Jamneanphol has since deleted the post on Facebook and apologised in a post online, in which she emphasised she “did not have any intention to insult or disrespect the high institution”.
“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,” said Jamneanphol.“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,” said Jamneanphol.
Nariratana, who is the only daughter of King Vajiralongkorn and former consort Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, is the founder and creative director of her own high-end fashion line, Sirivannavari. She is often seen on the pages of Tatler and Vogue and is widely described as Thailand’s “most fashionable royal”.Nariratana, who is the only daughter of King Vajiralongkorn and former consort Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, is the founder and creative director of her own high-end fashion line, Sirivannavari. She is often seen on the pages of Tatler and Vogue and is widely described as Thailand’s “most fashionable royal”.
ThailandThailand
Asia PacificAsia Pacific
MonarchyMonarchy
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content