Bangkok Post – Lese-majeste case against influencer dismissed

Widely condemned Lazada promotion appeared to mock members of the Royal Family but did not fall under Section 112

Online influencer who appeared in controversial ad mocking a member of the Royal Family acquitted majestyAccording to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR).

The Criminal Court on Wednesday dismissed criminal insult and computer crime charges against 30-year-old Thidaporn Chaokuwiang in connection with a May 2022 campaign by e-commerce company Lazada.

Ms. Thidaporn was arrested the following month after petitioner Srisuwan Janya filed a complaint with the police. Also arrested were Aniwat Prathumthin, also known as Nara Crepe Katoey, and Kittikhun Thamkittirat, also known as Momdew Diary. They were later released on bail.

The three appeared in a TikTok video for a Lazada shopping promotion, with Ms. Thidaporn dressed in a traditional Thai silk outfit and sitting in a wheelchair.

Many who watched the ad were outraged, saying it was clearly intended to make fun of a member of the Royal Family.

Lazada and the agency that created the ad apologized reaction mounted. At some point, Royal Thai Army and some other organizations ordered their employees not to purchase anything from the platform.

In its decision on Wednesday, the Criminal Court noted that the main complaint was that Ms Thidaporn appeared to be mocking Princess Chulabhorn.

Article 112 of the Criminal Code, the law of lese majeste, states: “Whoever insults, insults or threatens the King, Queen, Crown Prince or Vicar will be punished with imprisonment from three to fifteen years.”

TLHR quoted the judges as saying Princess Chulabhorn was not heir to the throne and that the statute should not be interpreted broadly beyond what the statute requires.

The court rejected the case, stating that “the defendant’s actions were not a crime.”

TLHR said Aniwat was also acquitted in 2023. The court issued an arrest warrant for Kittikhun, who is currently seeking asylum abroad.