Sabah Mannan of DOT : A popular online TV host named Wanchaleom Jamneanphol is facing charges under Thailand’s strict cyber crimes and lèse-majesté laws – which makes it unlawful to say anything against the monarchy – for her comments online about a dress designed by Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana as ‘ugly’.
Thai entrant of the 67th Miss Universe pageant, Sophida Kanchanarin wore the blue dress designed by Nariratana, who is the only daughter of King Vajiralongkorn and former consort Sujarinee Vivacharawongse. Founder and creative director of her own high-end fashion line Sirivannavari, the princess is often seen on the pages of Tatler and Vogue and is widely described as Thailand’s “most fashionable royal”. Jamneanphol’s post criticizing the design of the couture gown went viral leading to the charges being filed and accepted by the Thai police’s technology crime suppression division. However, Jamneanphol has deleted the post on Facebook and apologized online, where she highlighted of having no intention of disrespecting the high institution.
Greatly revered for its considerable power, Thailand’s laws have 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. However, critics allege the law is used to suppress freedom of speech, and campaigners and the United Nations have repeatedly called for it to be amended. Source: The Guardian
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