YouTuber faces charges for calling a Miss Universe contestant's dress ugly — here's why
She played fashion police — but now it seems that a Thai internet star may be the one facing legal trouble.
As the Guardian reports, YouTube star Wanchaleom Jamneanphol — aka Mixy Bigmouth — is facing charges after complaining on Facebook about a dress worn by Miss Thailand, Sophida Kanchanarin, for last week’s Miss Universe pageant. Jamneanphol called the dress ugly, prompting complaints to be filed against her with local police.
A post shared by Support Ning Sophida 😍😘?? (@ning.sophida.fc) on Dec 7, 2018 at 10:51pm PST
The uproar is over the fact that the dress, worn for a Thai Night gala hosted by the pageant, was designed by the Sirivannavari Bangkok fashion label, which is run by Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana. In Thailand, it is illegal to make negative comments about the monarchy, which means dissing a dress designed by a member of the royal family could be seen as a crime. And while the princess is technically not covered by royal defamation laws, as she is not king, queen or the heir apparent, insulting her is considered verboten. The country’s laws also allow citizens to file defamation charges on behalf of someone else.
Among those filing such charges with the police’s technology crime suppression department was aspiring politician Kitjanut Chaiyosburana, who called Jamneanphol’s now-deleted Facebook post about the dress “irresponsible behavior.”
“I cannot accept that a well-known individual in the online world expressed negative opinions that affect the country’s reputation,” Chaiyosburana told the press.
In a new Facebook post, Jamneanphol said she felt “very guilty” about her comments and is “sorry.” She added that she did not intend to disrespect the royal family.
According to the AFP, Thai police are currently investigating the matter.
The Sirivannavari Bangkok line, meanwhile, also designed swimwear for contestants during the Miss Universe pageant, which was hosted in Thailand.
A post shared by SIRIVANNAVARI BANGKOK OFFICIAL (@sirivannavari_shop) on Dec 16, 2018 at 11:48pm PST
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