Thai Airways' April Fool's Day Stunt under Scrutiny for Potential Law Violations
It remains to be seen whether the police will press charges against Thai Airways personnel for allegedly insulting the monarchy, based on strict defamation laws that carry penalties of up to 15 years in prison for insulting the monarchy.
On April 1st, the official account of Thai Vietjet Air tweeted about launching a new international route between Nan, Thailand, and Munich, Germany. This move sparked outrage and boycotts from ultra-royalists online. The offensive tweet was eventually deleted, and the company apologized the next day, stating that the executive team was unaware it was promoting a route between a provincial Thai town and a European city.
Notably, the tweet did not reference the 69-year-old King Vajiralongkorn, who is believed to have spent a significant portion of his life in Germany, nor his daughter-in-law, Princess Sineenat Wanvajirapadi, who was born in Nan.
King Vajiralongkorn was crowned in 2019 and granted the title Princess Sineenat to her then. In early 2021, he married a member of his personal bodyguard unit, who later became Queen Suthida.
During recent student-led protests, some activists publicly criticized the King for his time spent abroad. At least 183 individuals have been charged with defaming the monarchy since the protests began in 2020.
Thai Airways' CEO, Woranate Laprabang, responded to the online backlash by suspending the responsible employees while an investigation was initiated. He later issued an apology, stating, "I would like to once again apologize to the Thai people for these incidents."
However, attorney and activist Srisuwan Janya lodged a complaint with the police, accusing the tweet of being deliberately defamatory and arguing that an apology was not sufficient. Known for frequently filing complaints with the police, Srisuwan has reportedly filed more than 1,000 complaints, including consumer fraud, corruption, and environmental concerns. It is unclear how many of his complaints have resulted in criminal prosecutions.
The deputy spokesperson for the Thai police, Kissana Phathanacharoen, told Reuters that the complaint would be reviewed, examining all facts surrounding the incident and determining if a criminal intent was involved.
The Thai "Monarchy Law" has recently been criticized by some activists and opposition politicians, a significant step in a country where the King traditionally is viewed as semi-divine and immune to criticism.
Further Reading:
The ongoing controversy with Thai Airways and potential violations of local laws may impact travel plans for some, as the company navigates scrutiny for its actions. Furthermore, the April Fool's Day prank may deter some travelers from choosing Thai Airways as their mode of transportation.
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Enrichment Data (Integrated into Base Article): No recent developments or potential consequences related to Thai Airways and April Fool's Day prank violating local laws concerning the monarchy are found in the provided sources. To stay informed on the latest developments and accurate facts about this situation, it would be advisable to consult reliable news outlets and official statements from Thai Airways or relevant authorities.
