After coming under attack from ultra-royalists and losing her job over a photo from Saturday’s rally online, the woman at the heart of the controversy spoke out to defend herself today.
Pimchanok Puksuk reactivated her Facebook to post a statement saying she had no intention to insult the monarchy with her photo of a sign attacking the “dictatorship” but also showed a billboard in the background of the late King Bhumibol.
“I insist that the photo doesn’t have any intention to insult the monarchy. I saw the sign with the message aimed directly at the government, solely,” Pimchanok wrote. “I don’t even personally know the person who raised the sign.”
The controversial photo, deemed “inappropriate” by some including the digital economy and society minister, shows a raised sign reading “Fuck U Dictatorship” with the billboard in the background. The same billboard appeared in other photos, as it hung over the location – outside the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre – where the rally took place.
The juxtaposition of the two images angered royalists who interpreted it as an insulting to the late king, who remains widely revered.
Pimchanok on Monday was either fired or pressured to resign from the digital television channel she worked for, prompting a backlash against the company online. She had deactivated her social media accounts since then.
Returning online, Pimchanok wrote that she would use her rights against her attackers.
“If there are people who make threats or post any online materials to destroy my reputation, I will use my rights by law to bring charges against them,” Pimchanok wrote. “I think if I kept being silent, it would generate more fear for myself and for the society.”
“Don’t destroy one life, don’t ruin one future just because of one picture.”
Earlier today, IT Minister Puttipong Punnakan announced that someone had been arrested over the photo, which he said “hurts the hearts of all Thai people.” A group of human rights lawyers disputed that, saying none of the four people possibly involved were in custody.
Saturday’s peaceful, hour-long protest saw the largest crowds turn out in support since the 2014 coup.
It has also led to several serious charges being filed against Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who has vowed to continue holding them in the new year to push back against maneuvering to dismantle his popular pro-democracy party.
Related:
Arrest made over ‘inappropriate’ rally photo: minister
TV channel slammed after employee ‘fired’ for joining Future Forward rally in Bangkok
Rise of Skywalk-er: Large crowd rallies in Bangkok for embattled pro-democracy party
