BangkokPost-May 11
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has slammed a controversial online promotion for Lazada that some people regarded as being offensive to the monarchy as “unacceptable”. The government has decided to seek court orders to block access to the advertisement. Speaking to reporters at Government House on Tuesday, Gen Prayut said: ”Is that the right thing? Can we accept it? Can the media accept it? If you can’t, neither can I. Then, let the law take its course.” Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said he had instructed related agencies to examine and gather evidence from all online platforms, including global giants Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, in order to request the 42 URLs identified so far be taken down. Those platforms have been asked to remove or block access, he said, adding the ministry would seek court orders if the platforms refuse to cooperate. Transgender influencer Aniwat Prathumthin, better known by her online alias of Nara Crepe Katoey, was contacted by media agency Intersect Design Factory Co to perform in the ad, which was shown on her TikTok account. The video features Nara and a wheelchair-bound woman, identified as Thidarat Chaokuwiang, joking with each other. The online advert drew fierce criticism from many netizens, who saw them as mocking the disabled. Some also believed the outfit worn by the disabled character was an oblique reference to the royal family. Commenting on the controversial ad, army chief Gen Narongphan Jitkaewtae on Tuesday emphasised that the army is duty-bound to protect the royal institution.On Monday, the army chief issued an order prohibiting all troops, units and organizations under his command from buying products sold through Lazada’s online platform in protest against the promotional video claimed to contain a slight on the royal family. Read more at: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2307790/pm-weighs-in-on-nara-lazada-furore
